by Jack Ginnetti

Marlborough, MA — Big Underdog, driven by Brian Allen, and Old World Elegance, with Kevin Switzer, won the second leg of the Impossible Dream Series on Monday (October 1) at Plainridge Racecourse.

Allen left from the rail, but fell back at the start and was hard used in making the top, but still overtook Joe Rustler by less than a length in a slick 1:55.2.

Switzer had a harder time of it with Old World Elegance. He trailed for much of the $5,000 mile test, went double wide at the three-quarters and nosed out CR Jesse James, with Mike Eaton up, in 1:56.3.

Winston Drew Campbell posted the best time of the afternoon (1:54.4), driving Windleaves Jammer to victory lane in the $5,000 Bill Doyle Memorial eliminations. The winner finished nearly three lengths ahead of Hammer, driven by the veteran Greg Bowden.

Fourjack and Black Cam won the second leg of the Patriot Series. But the drive of the day belonged to Cornelius Bonetti, who seemingly was out of the race with Fourjack, but took the inside route for a neck win over Tricon Hanover in 1:57.1. Shawn Thayer wired the field with Black Cam in 1:56.2.

Jim Hardy had a pair of winners to move within one of the century mark. He now sports a 99-70-75 for his 465 trips to the post and a glitsy UDR of .350.

The Massachusetts Sires Stakes finals for 2-year-old fillies, colts and geldings will be contested on Tuesday (October 2) starting at 1:00 p.m. with $85,442 in purse money on the line. Four races for pacers and trotters will be contested. Post time for the full Tuesday program will get underway at 2:00 p.m.

Plaintalk: October 10 will mark a historic day for harness racing and the residents of Readville, Mass. Plainridge’s cover story in this week’s program, penned by Paul Verrette, paid hommage to the man who’s about to make this happen.

Robert Temple, vice president and secretary-treasurer of the New England Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers will join Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino in dedicating a specially crafted marker at the site of the Readville Trotting Park. The public is invited to this 2:00 p.m. event at the site Temple says was the Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium of the sport.