by Jack Ginnetti

Marlborough, MA — Standardbreds raced for nearly $80,000 in four Massachusetts Sire Stake finals for 3-year-old colts and fillies on Thursday (Oct. 25) at Plainridge.

The two Sire Stakes betting races came in the 11th and 12th races.

Trainer Jim Hardy drove Ira R to victory lane in 1:56.3 for a purse worth $19,800 in the 3-year-old colt and gelding pace final. Owned by Stephen Richard, the son of Village Jolt won by 4-1/4 lengths over Ideal Smile, with Denver Cyclone third.

Steve Smith made a rare Plainridge appearance by guiding Bell A Chick to a 4-1/4 length win in the $20,160 colt and gelding trot final. The winner is owned by Smith and trained by Dawn Anderson and the mile went in 1:58.1. Imagistic was second and A Taste Of Victory finished third.

In the two non-betting races, B Thea One, driven by D T Sumner, topped the three-horse field of filliy pacers in easy fashion in 2:01.4 with a purse worth $19,080. Owned and trained by Stephen La Casse, the B Dramatic filly defeated Up’n Coming Artist and Mattagaal.

In the $19,800 filly trot final, Kevin Switzer was victorious with Mistress Valentine in 2:00.4. Switzer also trains the daughter of Master Glide for KDK Standardbreds. She scored by 3-1/2 lengths over TJ’s War Princess with A Vicious Woman third.