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Plainville, MA – The fields are set for the $1 million finals of the Massachusetts Sire Stakes (MASS) that will be held at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (Oct. 24). Eight divisions valued at $125,000 each will go to post starting at 2 p.m. and this year’s harness racing contests appear to be very competitive across the board.
The 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters kick off the action led by two horses that have been battling for three weeks.
Inter Mischief (International Moni-Blinded By Lindy) has won two out of three MASS starts and comes into the final as the top point-getter. In his last start he took a new lifetime mark of 1:55.4 while also breaking the Plainridge track and MASS stake record for 2-year-old trotting colts. Inter Mischief will leave from post four for Kevin Switzer Jr.
Yo Lucky Moni (International Moni-Unbelindyble) was the horse who beat Inter Mischief in his lone loss, but that was after Inter Mischief was parked the entire mile. Yo Lucky Moni brought a lot of stake experience with him to Massachusetts after racing in the Kentucky series at Oak Grove over the summer. Yo Lucky Moni starts alongside Inter Mischief in post five for Jimmy Whittemore.
The 2-year-old filly trotting division could prove to be one of the tougher races to handicap because there is a lot of talent throughout the field.
Milliondollarwall (Walner-Mom’s Millionaire) comes in a perfect three-for-three in the MASS and all three wins could be considered well in hand. But the eliminations for this group went split divisions with short fields so nine horses in this race could be a factor. Milliondollarwall will be driven by Yannick Gingras from post four.
Laurens Hoopla (E L Titan-Tatto You) has won two straight in the MASS after making a break in week one. She took a lifetime mark of 1:56.2 her second start and was game on the front last week. She starts from post seven for Nick Graffam.
Pembroke Moni (International Moni-Possessed By Lindy) won her first MASS start in a lifetime best 1:58 and then was second twice behind Laurens Hoopla in close finishes. The filly drew post three for Scott Zeron.
The 2-year-old pacing fillies has a solid favorite, but two horses could certainly upset.
Dame (Dude’s The Man-Seat By The Window) may have been a bit short her first MASS start being off a month after the New York Sire Stake finals. She has since won back-to-back starts in convincing manner and that included a new lifetime mark of 1:54.2 last week. Dame will be driven by Jimmy Hardy from post three.
Seafood Beauty (American Ideal-Seafood Annie) has tripped-out behind Dame the last two weeks but was unable to catch her in the stretch. However, she is probably still the main threat starting from post four for Jay Randall.
Yes I’m Hungry (Stay Hungry-Yes you Can) was the filly who beat Dame the first week but has since made a break and then had broken equipment and did not finish in her last outing. If all goes well for her here, Yes, I’m Hungry could be the upset pick from post two for Yannick Gingras.
Another tough group is the 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings with three horses very close is ability squaring off.
Rooster Bennett (So Surreal-Teddy Ballgirl) won two straight MASS races before falling one length short last week. He is the top point and money earner in this group and will again get a lot of public support with Yannick Gingras up from post five.
Luke McGook (Rock ‘N Roll World-Madonna Hanover) beat Rooster Bennett last week and took a new lifetime mark of 1:54.1 doing it. He also has seven wins in the Maine Sire Stakes this year and must be respected from post two with Kevin Switzer Jr.
So Rock N’ Roll (Western Maverick-So So Sweet) also has one MASS win and finished one-half length behind his stablemate Luke McGook last week after cutting the mile. Off those strong performances, he must be considered from post three for Drew Monti.
The sophomore set kicks off with 3-year-old trotting fillies that has another somewhat open field.
Dancin On The Wall (Walner-Lovely Lindy) will probably be the public’s choice despite drawing post seven and only winning one of three starts in the stake. After breaking in week one, Dancin On The Wall won handily in 1:56.1, but then finished second last week after a very tough mile in very inclement weather. Yannick Gingras is back at the lines.
Moni Heist (Walner-Nothing But Moni) beat her stablemate Dancin On The Wall last week with a big come from behind brush through a rainstorm and off going. Although the filly shows some breaks, she could be dangerous if she stays on task from post four for Scott Zeron.
The 3-year-old pacing colt and gelding division has been dominated by one horse who comes in undefeated.
Besides going three for three in the MASS, Treacherous Tom (Captaintreacherous-Kate Is Well Said) is also nine out of 11 overall this year and couldn’t be in better form coming into this race. Bruce Ranger steers again from post six.
Use Yah Blinkah (Western Maverick-Calla Fra) won four straight in Maine stakes before finishing second three times to Treacherous Tom here in the MASS. He has always been in play and should be again from post two with Jimmy Hardy.
Striking Impact (Always B Miki-Aunt Caroline) is the defending 2-year-old champion of this division but has been third three times to the aforementioned pair this year. He’s in the conversation from post four for Yannick Gingras.
The 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings also have a defending champion who is looking to repeat.
Bill Bauer (E L Titan-Miss Flaggy Meadow) won the MASS final last year and comes into this race on a two-win streak featuring a 1:56.1 lifetime mark taken just last week. However, the trotter does show three recent breaks on the form. Looking to become a two-time champion, Bill Bauer will start from post one with Yannick Gingras aboard.
Moni’s Heaven Cent (Muscle Hill-Moni From Heaven) has finished second twice in the MASS behind Bill Bauer and looks to be the main threat as Jay Randall will steer from post five.
Strongerwithlindy (Walner-Strong Legacy) hasn’t missed the board in the MASS and overall, has done his best work this year over a five-eighth’s mile track. Steve Smith will be in the mix despite post six.
Finally the 3-year-old pacing fillies looks like it could come down to two horses who have stood out this year.
Wolverina (Cheyenne Hollywood-Terri I Fra) just won the $81,172 Maine final which was the filly’s 11th win in a row and 12th win overall this year. She won both of her MASS starts including one in a new lifetime mark of 1:53.2 and is the richest horse of any division coming into these finals. She drew post one with Nick Graffam aboard and is definitely the horse to beat.
The filly with the best shot to beat her appears to be Dude’s Sweet Bet (Dude’s The Man-Sweet Bettor) who also won two MASS legs and also took a new lifetime mark of 1:53.1 in one of them. However, the one time she raced Wolverina she finished third. John Macdonald will steer and start from post five.
The stake connections are not the only ones who may come into some big money on Monday as the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts and Plainridge Park have teamed up to offer a free Survivor Handicapping Contest for all who attend the races live, with $5,000 in cash up for grabs to the winner.
The object of the contest is to select one winner in each of the live races held on Monday, October 24 at Plainridge Park. Entrants who fail to select a winning horse as the card progresses will be eliminated. The participant who lasts the longest will receive the prize. If there is a tie between two or more contestants, the money will be split equally among them.
Entry blanks along with free program pages will be available at the track on Monday. Entries must be submitted 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the first race which has a post time of 2 p.m. The contest is free to enter for anyone 18-years of age and over and only one entry per person will be accepted. Contestants must be present to win and provide a valid I.D. to collect any prize. Complete rules will be available at the track.
For Monday’s race entries, click here.
by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts
