by Jack Ginnetti

Marlborough, MA — Driver/trainer John Sears made the local history books on Memorial Day, guiding Premium Bliss at odds of 280-1 to the winner’s circle at Plainridge Racecourse.

He left from the eight post and stopped Sam’s Lil’ Kim by a head for the upset win.

The $2 wager returned $563.40, the largest single payoff in recent memory and largest since Plainridge opened its doors on March 17, 1999.

Sears owns the horse with Al Lang, both Massachusetts residents.

The race also produced an eye catching exacta (8-4), which returned $1,878.

The record payoff for a $2 win wager is held by Rod’s Faybill who paid $1,365.80 at Scarborough Downs on June 23, 1981.

Sears had another win on the May 27 holiday card with Whitesand Jack (1:57.1) in the sixth race.

Sears’ single payoff overshadowed Steve Nason’s four wins on the Memorial Day card.