Cecere exacta in $25,000 Open

Plainville, MA — Harness racing trainer Domenico Cecere and owner Greathorse sent Sforza (Walner) and Marquis Lafayette postward in the featured $25,000 Open at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Aug. 21) afternoon and then watched them finish first and second as they crossed the wire.

Brett Beckwith sent Sforza right to the front as Marquis Lafayette (Bruce Ranger) settled in fourth early in the race. Sforza stopped the clock in :27.4 and :56.4 before Marquis Lafayette moved first-over into contention as they spun around turn two.

As they motored up the backstretch, Marquis Lafayette made up over two lengths and was moving alongside Sforza by the time they reached three-quarters, but that’s as close as Sforza would let him get. When the trotters entered the stretch, Beckwith asked for more and Sforza delivered by opening up a two-length advantage over Marquis Lafayette as he won in a lifetime best, 1:53.

It was the third win of the year for Sforza, who returned $3.00.

STORZA REPLAY

Earlier in the $20,000 upper-level conditioned trot, Pepper Wow (Drew Campbell) made a first-over move against the front-running Heavens Pic (Aaron Byron) past the half, caught him in the last turn and then trotted away down the lane to a 1-½ length victory in 1:54.2.

Pepper Wow ($9.00) is owned by Earl and Kathy Beaman and Shirley Michaud and trained by Ivan Davies.

Bruce Ranger had a grand slam in the bike to lead all drivers on Thursday, while 11 different trainers each won one race apiece.

The Jackpot Wicked Hi-5 superfecta was hit in the sixth race when the single unique combination of 2-5-4-3-8 returned $8,984.75 for the 20-cent wager.

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday (Aug. 25) at 4 p.m. with a $8,985 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in race six.

Free full past performance programs and race replays for all live racing days at Plainridge Park can be found at plainridgeparkcasino.com.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Tim Bojarski, for Plainridge Park