Plainville, MA — Marquis Lafayette got off to a slow start but finished with a bang to win the $25,000 Winners-Over trotting feature at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (May 29).

Big Al M (Matty Athearn) led to the quarter in :27 before Angel Nation (Nick Graffam) motored up the outside and grabbed the front as the group passed the stands. In turn two, Icanflylikeanangel (Heath Campbell) pulled first-over and Marquis Lafayette (Bruce Ranger) took cover to move from last. Icanflylikeanangel stalled before three-quarters, forcing Marquis Lafayette three-deep heading into the last turn. Big Al M popped the pocket as they rounded into the stretch, and a three-horse scramble was underway. Angel Nation, Big Al M and Marquis Lafayette stayed even for about 10 pylons down the stretch before Marquis Lafayette pulled away to a three-quarter-length victory in 1:54.2, missing his lifetime best by only one-fifth of a second.

Marquis Lafayette vaulted off cover to win Monday’s top trot at Plainridge Park. Tom Melanson photo.

It was the first win of the year for Marquis Lafayette ($6.40), who is owned by Greathorse and trained by Domenico Cecere, who had two winners on Monday.

One horse that did take a new lifetime mark was Billy B (Wally Watson), who led every step of the way in the $20,000 secondary feature. After trotting in :27.3, :57 and 1:25.4 to three-quarters, Billy B turned for home and held off the pocket-sitting Top Down (Kevin Switzer Jr.) to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:55.2.

Billy B ($17.00) is owned by Joel Wheeler and is trained by Lisa Watson. Both Watsons registered two wins in their respective roles.

Other drivers with driving doubles during the afternoon were Bruce Ranger, Matty Athearn and Drew Campbell.

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (May 30) at 4 p.m.