Slow start but big finish for Marquis Lafayette

Plainville, MA — Marquis Lafayette (Ready Cash) got off to a slow start but finished with a bang for driver Bruce Ranger to win the $25,000 Winners-Over trotting harness racing feature at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (May 29).

Big Al M (Matty Athearn) led to the quarter in :27 before Angel Nation (Nick Graffam) motored up the outside and grabbed the front as the group passed the stands. In turn two, Icanflylikeanangel (Heath Campbell) pulled first-over and Marquis Lafayette (Bruce Ranger) took the cover and moved from last.

Icanflylikeanangel stalled before three-quarters, forcing Marquis Lafayette to go three-deep heading into the last turn. Big Al M popped the deuce as they rounded into the stretch and a three-horse scramble was underway. Angel Nation, Big Al M and Marquis Lafayette stayed even for about 10 pylons down the stretch before Marquis Lafayette pulled away to a three-quarter length victory in 1:54.2, missing his lifetime best effort by only one-fifth of a second.

It was the first win of the year for Marquis Lafayette ($6.40) who is owned by Greathorse and trained by Domenico Cecere, who had two winners on Monday.

MARQUIS LAFAYETTE REPLAY

One horse that did take a new lifetime mark was Billy B (Wally Watson) who led every step of the way in the $20,000 secondary feature. After trotting in :27.3, :57 and 1:25.4 to three-quarters, Billy B turned for home and held off the pocket-sitting Top Down (Kevin Switzer Jr.) to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:55.2.

Billy B ($17.00) is owned by Joel Wheeler and is trained by Lisa Watson. Both Watson’s registered two wins in their respective roles.

BILLY B REPLAY

Other drivers with driving doubles during the afternoon were Bruce Ranger, Matty Athearn and Drew Campbell.

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (May 30) at 4 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts