by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts

Plainville, MA — In what may have been her easiest win this year, Black Broadway captured the $14,000 Open Handicap Trot at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 26).

Tom Melanson photo

Black Broadway was a 1:56.2 winner on Thursday.

With a late scratch in the race, an already short field was whittled down again to five and Black Broadway (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) made the most of the opportunity by going right to the lead and staying there every step of the way.

After cutting quarter times of :28.2, :58.2 and 1:27.2 unhurried by the competition, Aldrich sat in the bike like he was home in his chair and let Black Broadway trot home on her own to win handily in 1:56.2 to score her eighth win of 2017.

Black Broadway ($2.80) has now earned $79,900 this year for owners Bob McHugh and Mike Eaton, who also does the training.

In the fifth race on Thursday, former Grand Circuit trotter Master Of Law (Greg Merton) returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since Nov. 7, 2015 after getting parked to the quarter, then clearing and leading the rest of the way to win by two lengths in 1:54.3. It was only the fourth start of the year for Master Of Law ($2.20) who didn’t race like he was coming back from a two-year layoff. Frank Antonacci trains Master Of Law for Lindy Farms of Connecticut.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. Please note that post time will remain at 2:30 p.m. for all race days in October and will be moved to 1 p.m. starting Thursday (Nov. 2) for the remainder of the meet.