Late closers top Labor Day at Plainridge
September 3, 2018,by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts
Plainville, MA — The third leg of Plainridge Park’s late closing series for 2-year-olds of both gaits highlighted the action on Labor Day Monday afternoon (Sept. 3), with big performances put in by both winners.
Tom Melanson photo
Simple Kaos cruised home in the third round of the Wood End Light Open on Monday at Plainridge Park.
The $15,000 Wood End Light Open for 2-year-old trotters was won by the Massachusetts-bred Simple Kaos (RC Royalty-Ksenia), who got away third initially before taking a commanding three-length lead by the half. Driver Jimmy Whittemore let out the lines and allowed his charge to ramble on to a six-length advantage by the 1:26.3 three-quarters before cruising home to a 10-length victory in 1:56.
It was the first lifetime win for Simple Kaos ($4.20), who is owned by Michelle Larson and trainer George Ducharme.
The $15,000 Nauset Light Open for 2-year-old pacers went to Elektra King (Rockin Image-Easy Miss) who led from gate to wire, fending off a challenge from Dancin Yin (Wally Watson) from the half past the three-quarters, and then outpacing Bangor (Jimmy Whittemore) to the wire under heavy urging from driver Steve Smith to hang on and win by a neck in 1:56.3.
Elektra King ($16.00) got her second lifetime win and a new lifetime mark for owner Mark Schullstrom and trainer Dawn Anderson.
The final for both of these series will be held on Sept. 17, with purses of $20,000 each.
In the overnight featured $12,000 conditioned event, Moonlight Artist (Shawn Gray) blazed a trail down the road, leading every step of the way in a four-length victory in 1:51.4. Scoring his seventh win of the year, Moonlight Artist ($4.20) now has earned $55,456 for owner Andrew Adamczyk this year. Jaymes Mcassey trains the winner.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Sept. 4) at the new earlier post time of 2 p.m.