Plainville, MA — The trotters were center stage at Plainridge Park on Friday (Oct. 17) afternoon and two native sons of Massachusetts represented the state well with their respective victories.
First up was the feature where Pepper Wow took full advantage of a covered trip to win the $25,000 Open Handicap.
Pepper Wow (Mitchell Cushing) got away fourth as Duke Lavictoire (Aaron Byron) marched to the half in :56.1. It was there an outer flow led by Marquis Lafayette (Bruce Ranger) was underway and had Pepper Wow on his back as they passed three-quarters in 1:24.3.
Duke Lavictoire folded in the turn and Marquis Lafayette was now on the point. But Pepper Wow tipped off his cover and came right at the leader and took control as they made their way down the lane. But he had to hold off strong late bids by Memorynimagination (Matty Athearn) and Sforza (Nick Graffam) before he could claim his one-half length victory in 1:53.3, which tied his lifetime mark.
It was the fifth win of the year for Pepper Wow ($8.20) who is owned by Kathy Beaman, Earl Beaman and Ivan Davies, who also trains the winner.
Later in the $22,500 upper-level conditioned trot, Bill Bauer (Nick Graffam) got away last as Ikon Vang DK (Brett Beckwith) cut quarters of :27.4, :56 and 1:26.2. At three-quarters, Bill Bauer was still sixth and third-over in the outer flow led by Murial (Bruce Ranger), who pushed Ikon Vang DK all the way to the stretch. When they straightened for home, Bill Bauer was in the middle of the racetrack passing everybody and flew to the line first by a quarter length in 1:55.3.
Bill Bauer ($12.40) is owned by his trainer, Paul Kelley, in partnership with Leo Bauer.
Todd O’Dea and Bruce Ranger were the leading reinsmen with two wins each while 11 different trainers each won one race apiece.
Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday (Oct. 20) at 2 p.m. and feature the third leg of the $2.4 million (est.) Massachusetts Breeders Stakes. Seven fields of state-bred 2-year-olds will go postward to make their final plays to make the $1.2 million finals that will be held on Thursday (Oct. 30).
Free full past performance programs and race replays for all live racing days at Plainridge Park can be found at plainridgeparkcasino.com.