Marquis Lafayette, Matty Ice big winners

Plainville, MA —  After three consecutive second place finishes in the top class at the track, Marquis Lafayette finally got across to win the $25,000 Open Handicap trotting feature at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Sept. 18) afternoon.

Marquis Lafayeette (Bruce Ranger) got away seventh as A New Leader (Mitchell Cushing) took the early lead. But he was then overtaken by Platinum AS (Brett Beckwith) as they passed the quarter in :27.1. However A New Leader was not content and came right back out to summarily replace Platinum AS on the point as they trotted by the stands.

Positions remained unchanged as the race moved onto the backstretch until Sea Can (Nick Graffam) pulled first-over and had Marquis Lafayette following in order. Sea Can made his way to third at three-quarters before stalling in the turn. that forced Marquis Lafayette to tip three-deep at the apex of the bend as they were turning for the payoff. A New Leader took a two-length lead into the stretch, where Platinum AS pulled and tried to catch up. But it was Marquis Lafayette who was rolling down the lane like a freight train and blew by both to win by one-half length in 1:53.1.

It was the first win of 2025 for Marquis Lafayette ($6.40) who is owned by Greathorse and trained by Domenico Cecere.

MARQUIS LAFAYETTE REPLAY

Driver Matty “Ice” Athearn had a big afternoon at The Ridge after scoring a grand slam in the bike that included a natural hat trick in races six, seven and eight. The eighth race was the secondary featured $20,000 conditioned pace for fillies and mares and Athearn guided a big effort from Seaside Tina, who went gate to wire quite handily.

Athearn put Seaside Tina right on the point and scooted to the quarter in :26.1. With a two-length advantage, Seaside Tina then got to the half in :55.3 and three-quarters in 1:23.4 with no serious challenges from behind. Seaside Tina continued a steady pace as a wall of horses started to stack up behind her in the turn. But when they straightened for home, nobody had any answers for Seaside Tina, who cruised to the wire under a high line in 1:52.4.

Seaside Tina ($3.80) is owned by her trainer, Mark Eaton, in partnership with Robert Griffin.

Athearn’s other three winners were Bravado (1:55.3, $9.80), Always B Best (1:53.2, $2.80) and Just Roxy (1:56, $9.80).

Gretchen Athearn and Jolene Andrews both scored two wins on Thursday to lead all other trainers in action during the afternoon.

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday (Sept. 22) at 2 p.m. with a $6,776 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 wager 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