Bruce Ranger brought his “A” game to Plainridge Park on Monday (Nov. 6) and won four of the seven races he was scheduled to drive while also finishing second twice and third once in the other three. Ranger’s top victory came in the $25,000 Open Handicap Trot with the Massachusetts-bred Marquis Lafayette, who powered his way to an easy win.
Summit City Sonny (Jay Randall) was trotting loose with the lead and took the field to the half in :57. Ranger was already first-up in the breeze with Marquis Lafayette at that point and had taken control of the race at three-quarters by 1-1/2 lengths on the strength of a snappy :27.3 third panel. Marquis Lafayette opened up four lengths at the head of the stretch and then simply cruised home under wraps and won in 1:53.3 while the rest argued for minor spoils.
The win pushed the lifetime earnings of Marquis Lafayette ($4) over the quarter-million mark, now standing at $255,225 for owner Greathorse. Domenico Cecere trains the winner.
Ranger and Cecere also teamed up to win with another Massachusetts-bred, Milliondollarwall, who was just crowned three-year-old trotting filly champion of the Massachusetts Sire Stakes in her last start.
Milliondollarwall drafted fourth while Pappy Go Go (Drew Campbell) led at the half. Ranger pulled Milliondollarwall and drew alongside Pappy Go Go at three-quarters. The two matched stride around the last turn until Milliondollarwall grabbed the lead in the stretch and bolted home in front by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:54.4.
The win was the sixth win of the year for Moni Maker Stable's Milliondollarwall ($3.40) and it pushed her 2023 earnings to $133,375.
Ranger closed out his grand slam with Doc Goldenfleece (1:57.3, $7.80) and Barmaid Express (1:58.4, $4.40). Ranger posted a gaudy .778 UDR for the day as a result of his success.
Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Tuesday, Nov. 7 with post time for the first race set at 1 p.m.
(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)