by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts

Plainville, MA — Tag Up And Go is on a real run at Plainridge Park after posting his third straight win on Thursday afternoon (Aug. 31); this week in the featured $14,000 Open Handicap trot.

Tag Up And Go (Greg Merton) was floated outside fourth for the first quarter mile before Merton asked him to go on. He cleared the leader Seeking Steven (Chris Long) and took control in front of the grandstand before getting to the half in :56.3.

Tom Melanson photo

Tag Up And Go wins his third straight race at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon.

One Swan For All (Wally Watson) came right at the point and pressured Tag Up And Go for the rest of the mile. Trotting side-by-side, the two hit three-quarters in 1:25.3 and continued to trot in tandem to the top of the stretch. At that point Tag Up And Go got a slight advantage over One Swan For All but then had to quell another push from Bloodstockshalltab (Jimmy Whittemore) in mid-stretch. Merton drove on and Tag Up And Go got across first in 1:54.4.

The Lester Gelardi Jr. and Anthony Passafaro owned Tag Up And Go ($3.40) scored his eighth win of the year that pushed his earnings to $93,660. For his career it was win 36 and he is now only $565 short of $500,000 in the bank.

In the co-featured $12,000 conditioned trot, a class drop worked out well as Guiltywithanexcuse (Jim Hardy) went gate-to-wire, fighting challenges the whole way before beating the field in 1:56.3 as four horses fanned the wire. It was the 10th win of the year for Guiltywithanexcuse ($4.20) who is owned by Ray La Bonte Jr. and Eva La Bonte. Hardy also trains the winner.

Driver Greg Merton had a three wins on the card while Billy Dobson scored two. Trainers Jackie Greene and Heidi Rohr each had two wins and Jim Hardy registered two wins both driving and training.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday (Sept. 1) with post time set for 4 p.m.