Mcstoned Again high and mighty at Plainridge

Plainville, MA — After finishing second in his first start in Massachusetts last week, Mcstoned Again (Wishing Stone) made a jump in class and still won handily in the $20,000 trotting harness racing feature at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (June 5).

Nick Graffam took Mcstoned Again off the gate and trotted fifth as Echo De Meautis Fr (Bruce Ranger) led the field to the half. Mcstoned was out and rolling in turn two, flushing Billy B (Wally Watson) who quickly advanced and gained the lead from Echo De Meautis Fr at three-quarters. As Billy B came off the final bend and entered the lane, Mcstoned Again tipped off his cover and wore down Billy B in deep stretch and then stretched out to a 1-½ length margin of victory in 1:55.4, which was a seasonal mark for the winner.

It was the fourth win of the year for Mcstoned Again ($16.20) who is owned by Michael Pease and trained by Chris Hitchcock.

Graffam ended the day with three driving wins.

The undercard $17,500 conditioned trot went to Top Down (Archangel, Kevin Switzer Jr.) who led to the half before relenting to Wallet (Nick Graffam). With Bill Bauer (Drew Campbell) trotting outside, Top Down was shuffled to third and locked in through the last turn. As they headed down the stretch, Wallet had two lengths on Top Down, but the pylon path was clear and Switzer got him moving. Top Down trotted furiously to the wire, where he beat Wallet and held off a fast closing Timantix (Jordan Derue) to win by a nose in 1:55.3, taking a new lifetime mark.

Top Down ($5.40) is owned by Michael Antosca and trained by Bob Marston.

The fastest trot of the day came in the $16,000 condition class where Bluffinner (Credit Winner) dropped out of Winners-Over company to score an impressive win. Bluffinner (Jordan Derue) trotted second behind Yes (Bruce Ranger) to the five-eighths before leaving the pocket to take the lead. In the far turn, Bluffinner pulled away from the field and was on top by two lengths when they reached the stretch. From there, Bluffinner trotted home the best by 2-¾ lengths in 1:54.3, which was his fastest clocking in two years.

Bluffinner ($5.20) is owned by FBP Racing Stable along with Derue, who also trains the winner.

Driver Bruce Ranger had two wins on Monday as did Matty Athearn, both of which were trained by Larry Stalbaum. Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (June 6) at 4 p.m. and there will be a $5,598 carryover in the Jackpot Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in race six.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts