Plainville, MA — Coming off a series of solid efforts that resulted in board hits, Perron got back to the Plainridge Park winner’s circle on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 20) with a strong front end effort in the featured $17,500 conditioned trot.

Bruce Ranger floated Perron out from post five and never took the lead from Captain Blues (Jay Randall) until after the :28.1 quarter. After crossing over in front of the grandstand, Perron then set soft, back-to-back :29.3 and :29 middle fractions and never felt any pressure until the top of the stretch. There, the field fanned five across the track behind him and all were closing ground. But the wire came before the competition, and Perron hung on for a one-length win in 1:57.4.

Perron evaded a host of late pursuers to reach the winning post first in Thursday’s featured trot at Plainridge Park. Tom Melanson photo.

It was the fourth victory of the year for Perron ($3.60), whose stakes-laden career earnings have now risen to $396,459. Steve Stewart, David Wright, Black Creek Farm and Victor Wagler own the Michael Mancini-trained gelding.

The fastest trot of the day was the last race, where Milford’s Z Tam went gate-to-wire and won the $15,000 event wrapped up by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:55.4 for driver Brett Beckwith. Owned by William Hartt and trained by Melissa Beckwith, Milford’s Z Tam ($14.00) claimed his 30th lifetime win and pushed his career earnings to $503,171.

Both Ranger and Beckwith each had two driving wins on Thursday while 10 different trainers each won one race apiece.

Eight $125,000 finals of the Massachusetts Sire Stakes will be held at Plainridge Park during “Million Dollar Monday” on Oct. 24 with post time at 2 p.m. For fans attending live, there will also be a free $5,000 Survivor handicapping contest sponsored by the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts and Plainridge Park.

When live racing resumes at Plainridge Park at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 23), there will be a carryover of $10,676 in the sixth race Jackpot Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track’s website.