Plainville, MA — The 2019 Massachusetts Sire Stakes will get underway on Sunday (Sept. 29) at Plainridge Park, but the 2-year-olds won’t convene for their first leg until Monday (Sept. 30). There are 96 eligible horses that make up this first-year group of competitors and some have already been performing at a high level.

2-year-old pacing colts

Han Solo (Mister Big-Leah) would have to be considered the favorite of this group going in. He finished second in an elimination of the Lawrence B. Sheppard at Yonkers in July and was defeated by only 2-1/2 lengths in that final. Since coming back to Plainridge he won two out of three legs of the Nauset Light series plus the final and set a new track record for 2-year-old pacing colts in the process (1:54.1). With four wins in eights starts, he is ready to take on all comers. Monique Cohen trains Han Solo.

R Maddy Blue Chip (American Ideal-Frontierpan) has been racing on the New York Sire Stake circuit against some very tough competition this summer. He did get checks in three out of those four starts and showed good speed both leaving and closing. He had been off since mid-August but qualified handily at Harrah’s Philadelphia in 1:56.2 and has since won in 1:58.4 by four lengths in a tightener at Farmington, Maine. He looks ready to compete. R Maddy Blue Chip is trained by Joe Nelson.

Corporal Cole (Sunshine Beach-Get A Cab) has only four starts lifetime but the last two sent some notice. After taking his maiden win in a come-from-behind effort of 1:57.1, Corporal Cole came right back on the front-end and dropped almost two seconds, winning in 1:55.3 by open lengths. If he continues to progress it could make this division a little more interesting. Corporal Cole is trained by Charlene Cushing.

Wesley Snoops (Western Maverick-Secure Hanover) has been busy in the Maine Sire Stakes this summer and is currently third in the point standings there. Although his lifetime mark of 2:00.2 taken at Farmington in his last start doesn’t seem too speedy, he has yet to hit the big track and it’s there he could move to that next level. Wesley Snoops is trained by Ivan Davies.

2-year-old pacing fillies

Ry’s Red Rocket (Sunshine Beach-Mo Molly Blue Chip) got her first win at Windsor, Maine in a sharp 1:57.1 on Sept. 1 right after finishing third in 1:54.2 at Plainridge in the Nauset Light series. She had an unfortunate equipment break in the next leg before finishing a strong second to Han Solo in the final, pacing in 1:56 in the process. She will take that effort right into this first leg of the MASS. Ry’s Red Rocket is trained by Gretchen Athearn.

Bold N Sporty (Sportswriter-Murrayfield) made two starts in the Ontario Sire Stakes in July, grabbing only one fifth place check. But she was race-timed in 1:53.3 and 1:54 in those two efforts at Mohawk Park. After winning at Georgian Downs the end of August, Bold N Sporty shipped to Plainridge and closed sharply to be third in 1:55.4 after being parked out the better part of the mile. She is now familiar with the track and that may be helpful moving forward. Jimmy Nickerson trains Bold N Sporty.

Odds On Orlando (Captaintreacherous-Lindys Old Lady) has only three lifetime starts but has made forward strides in each. In her last effort at the Red Mile she closed strongly from fifth to finish third in 1:53.1 with a last quarter in :28. She had previously come home in a blistering :26.4 in a qualifier but also shows some gate speed when asked. Odd On Orlando is an interesting prospect. Tony Alagna trains Odds On Orlando.

2-year-old trotting colts

Life Is A Feast (Royalty For Life-Luau Hanover) had a breaking problem earlier in the year that he seems to have gotten over. Proof of that is his 14 length romp in the third leg of the Wood End Light series followed the next week by his track record tying, 3-1/2 length winning effort of 1:56.3 in the series final at Plainridge Park. If he continues to mind his manners, the sky seems to be the limit for this gelding. Life Is A Feast is trained by George Ducharme.

Double Dealing (RC Royalty-Heather Spur) has similarly progressed in his last two races. After finishing a distant third in the third leg of the Wood End Light, Double Dealing finished a close second to Life Is A Feast in the final and was race timed in 1:57.1. The improvement in time and performance is something to take notice of. Double Dealing is also trained by Ducharme.

2-year-old trotting fillies

Without A Warning (RC Royalty-Concentration) comes into the MASS after a big year on the NYSS circuit. She hit the board in three out of her six starts in the series, while making a break in the other three. She did come up big in the $225,000 final at Batavia, minding her manners in a first-over trip that saw her finish third at 91-1 odds. And it was the third straight start she stayed flat. She’ll come into the MASS still looking for her first lifetime win, but her wallet has $77,710 in it and that makes her by far the richest filly in this event. She has been race-timed in 1:56.4 at Vernon Downs. Without A Warning is trained by Ducharme.

Pembroke Whisper (Noble Venture-Spring Laughter) has five wins in seven outings and hasn’t missed the board in Maine Sire Stakes action, making her the points leader in that division to date. She has the consistency, but the question is will the switch to the big track at Plainridge help her develop her speed. That is an unknown. Pembroke Whisper is trained by Valerie Grondin.

Sophia’s Express (Crazed-Snowblind Lindy) was a win machine in the NYSS Excelsior B series this year. She won six out of seven starts there. Her lifetime mark (1:59.4) and biggest margin of victory (3-1/2 lengths) came at Vernon Downs so she should feel at home over the three turns at Plainridge as well. Sophia’s Express is trained by Marissa Chadbourne.

Here is the complete 2019 Massachusetts Sire Stake Schedule:

Sunday (Sept. 29) 3-year-old First Leg-$35,000 added
Monday (Sept. 30) 2-year-old First Leg-$35,000 added
Sunday (Oct. 6) 3-year-old Second Leg-$35,000 added
Monday (Oct. 7) 2-year-old Second Leg-$35,000 added
Sunday (Oct. 20) 2-year-old Third Leg-$35,000 added
Monday (Oct. 21) 3-year-old Third Leg-$35,000 added
Monday (Oct. 28) 2- and 3-year-old Finals-$100,000 (est.)