by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts

Plainville, MA — Plainridge Park will host the third leg of the Massachusetts Sire Stakes for 3-year-olds of both genders and gaits worth a total of $133,500 on Monday (Oct. 30).

The races are carded as four non-betting events that will be held prior to the regular card with a post time of 1 p.m.

The $32,700 3-year-old filly trot has Onangelwings (Archangel-Anotherpennyplease) looking to go three-for-three after taking the first two MASS contests in convincing fashion. Trainer George Ducharme and driver Chris Lems will be looking over their shoulder at Grits’ N Seven (Chapter Seven-Bourbon N Grits) who has finished second in both races. Grits’ N Seven’s trainer Dawn Anderson has Steve Smith up to drive once again.

The $34,000 3-year-old colt and gelding trot is a heavyweight match between Muscles Jared (Muscle Massive-Tetiana) and Big Man Ev (Chapter Seven-Possessed By Lindy). Muscles Jared won the first leg by eight lengths in a stakes record time of 1:55.3, but Big Man Ev did not enter that week. In the second leg, Muscles Jared made a break and Big Man Ev was on point, going gate-to-wire by five lengths in 1:54.3, which broke the stakes and track record. Muscles Jared is sent out by Ducharme and Lems and Big Man Ev’s trainer Julie Miller has Steve Smith in the bike.

The $33,500 colt and gelding pace features Frank Antonacci’s Lindy The Kid (Artistic Fella-Lindy’s Bandita) who has had his way in this event so far, winning the first two legs handily. He has not really been challenged once he’s gained the lead and driver Greg Merton will most certainly position him for another similar trip despite not having raced since the second leg of the series on Oct. 2.

And the $33,250 filly pace finds the winners of the first two legs in a rematch. Meadows Rosebud (Western Maverick-Rose Of Aquamarine) won the first leg by three lengths in 1:55.1 but finished third to Spoxy’s Girl (Neutralize-Royal Ribbons) by a length in 1:55.1 in the second. Both fillies have competed in Maine Sire Stakes (advantage Spoxy’s Girl there) since they last met and should be legged-up for this race. Trainer Ralph Andersen will have Eddie Davis Jr. on board Meadows Rosebud while Mike Graffam has Nick Graffam in the bike behind Spoxy’s Girl.

The Massachusetts Sire Stake 2- and 3-year-old finals for both genders and gaits will be held at Plainridge Park on Monday (Nov. 6) and they will compete for an estimated $700,000 in purses.