Plainville, MA — In his first start of the season, Groovy Man (Huntsville-Lets Groove Tonite) led at every station and captured the inaugural $100,000 Paul Revere Pace on Thursday afternoon (April 28) as Plainridge Park welcomed back the Grand Circuit.

Tested in the lane by a two-pronged attack, Groovy Man proved a gritty winner in the inaugural Paul Revere Pace. Tom Melanson photo.

Layton Hanover (Matt Kakaley) took the lead right off the gate before Groovy Man (Yannick Gingras) motored up the outside to gain control of the race at the quarter in :27.1. Positions remained unchanged from there until Caviart Scout (Josert Fonseca) pulled from fourth at the five-eighths and took the lead from his stablemate, Groovy Man, at the three-quarter pole.

As the pair paced into the last turn, Groovy Man dug back in and drew even with Caviart Scout, and the two matched strides all the way around the curve. Groovy Man eventually rebuffed the challenge and opened up a length lead heading into the stretch, but he still had more work ahead: the pocket-sitting Layton Hanover found room at the pylons and Rocknroll Gold (Matty Athearn) was flying late on the outside. The two made up ground all the way to the line, but Groovy Man dug in and held on to win by a long neck in 1:52.1.

“I left for position hoping to get a trip behind Forever Man,” said Gingras. “But he made a break in the first turn, so I ended up cutting it. He was fine in front until he got spooked by a bird that flew in front of him at the top of the stretch. It kind of threw him off a bit, but he kept his head and finished the job. I was very happy with his effort.”

It was the second win in only three lifetime starts for Groovy Man ($4.80), who is owned by Elmer Fannin, Brent Fannin, Joe Sbrocco and Nancy Takter&Jaf Racing. Nancy Takter trains the winner.

The next Grand Circuit event at Plainridge Park this year is the $100,000 Battle of Bunker Hill Trot, for 3-year-olds, on May 16. Then, on July 24, the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot and $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace will return to the Massachusetts oval.