Rocknroll Lou breaks three records at Plainridge

Plainville, MA — Week two of 2-year-olds competing in the $3 million Massachusetts Sire Stakes at Plainridge Park got underway on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 3) and harness racing history was made in three different categories by Rocknroll Lou (Sweet Lou-Beautiful Lady) after a very impressive effort in the $75,000 division for male pacers.

Yannick Gingras got away third with Rocknroll Lou, but pulled early at three-eighths to take the lead from Poverty Sucks (Nick Graffam) in front of the stands. When he crossed over, he was already on top by three lengths as Gingras had him revved up and rolling onto the backstretch. Rocknroll Lou paced his third quarter in :27.2 and it was clear he was on a mission. When he turned for home, Rocknroll Lou was under Gingras-wraps and tripped the timer in 1:53.1.

ROCKNROLL LOU REPLAY

The clocking was a new lifetime mark for Rocknroll Lou, but it also broke the Plainridge Park track record and the Massachusetts Sire Stake record for a 2-year-old pacing gelding, and it also saw him become the fastest 2-year-old pacing gelding ever bred in the state of Massachusetts.

It was the second straight MaSS win for Rocknroll Lou ($2.10) who is owned by Thomas Dillon and Scott Dillon and trained by Ron Burke. Rocknroll Lou was bred by Lester Gelardi Jr. and Anthony Passafaro.

Burke, Gingras and Team Dillon also dominated the $75,000 pacing filly division with Every Mans Dream (Always B Miki-Lindy’s Nightmare) who was another runaway winner for her connections in an early non-betting event.

Gingras floated Every Mans Dream on the outside fifth, while Beantown Ace (Nick Graffam) and Who’s Perfect (Heath Campbell) shuffled for the front. Once that dust had settled, Every Mans Dream switched gears and bolted to the lead and full control at the :57 half. Gingras grabbed leather in the third quarter as only the pocket-sitting Beantown Ace was close. But when he hit the last turn, he gave his filly her head and Every Mans Dream flew home :27.3 and won by six lengths in 1:53.3.

It was the second straight MaSS win and the sixth win of the year for Every Mans Dream.

The filly trotters also went one division for $75,000 and Gingras completed his stake triple with Dawn Of Lindy (Walner-Moni From Heaven) who got a second MaSS win and matched her lifetime mark in the process.

Dawn Of Lindy left from post seven and dropped in fourth as Pembroke Breeze (Heath Campbell) made her way to the half in :59.2. With no one pulling right lines, Gingras made the first move and flushed The Great CB (Steve Smith) from the pocket, giving himself cover trotting up the backside. The Great CB cleared and Dawn Of Lindy pulled alongside at three-quarters. The two trotters tangled in close proximity around the far turn and into mid-stretch where Dawn Of Lindy started to pull away and eventually won by 2-¼ lengths in 1:57.3.

DAWN OF LINDY REPLAY

Dawn Of Lindy ($4.00) is owned by the Paul Kelley Racing Stable, Matt Lamont, Thomas Pontone and Neil Goldstein. Paul Kelley trains the winning filly bred by Moni Maker Stable.

Gingras added a win in an overnight event, giving him a grand slam for the day.

The male trotters went in two $40,000 divisions and were both won by George Ducharme trainees, steered by Nick Graffam.

First, Chasing Crystals (Six Pack-Crystalline) came first-over on the front-running Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) and was closely followed by Intl Blockade (Bruce Ranger). Chasing Crystals took the lead at the top of the stretch but had to fight off Intl Blockade all the way to the wire where he won by a neck in 1:59.3 to take his first lifetime win. Chasing Crystals ($33.00) is owned and bred by Ray Campbell Jr.

CHASING CRYSTALS REPLAY

The second division was won by Keep Asking (Chapter Seven-Sensibility) who left, made a short break at the quarter, and then regained his composure once he got to the front. Keep Asking was then well rated by Graffam with back to back :29.2 quarters before they opened it up coming home with a :28 closing sprint that gave him a 2-¾ length win in 1:56.4.

KEEP ASKING REPLAY

Keep Asking ($2.80) won his second straight MaSS race for owners/breeders W Donovan, Joe Sbrocco, Jim Winske and the George Ducharme Stable.

The Massachusetts Sire Stake will be off next week and reconvene on Monday (Oct. 16) with the third leg for eligible 2-year-olds. The 3-year-olds will follow on Tuesday (Oct. 17).

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Oct. 5) at 2 p.m. and there will be a $17,932 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race six. Please note that Plainridge Park adds live racing on Friday, starting this week (Oct. 6) and will continue the Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday schedule for the remainder of the meet. Post time will be at 2 p.m. through the end of October and switch to 1 p.m. for the month of November.

For complete non-wagering race results, click here: US Trotting results.

For complete pari-mutuel race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts