The $2.4 million Massachusetts Breeders Stakes continued at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (Sept. 30), as the top 3-year-old trotters and pacers of both genders lined up in seven events.
The speedy oval at The Ridge produced four stake records, three track records and five new lifetime marks, but no single effort was more outstanding than the mile turned in by Corner Store, who simply rewrote the record books across the board.
The opening stake was the first $45,000 split for trotting fillies that was carded as a non-betting event, and Tactical Moni (Tactical Landing-All Our Moni) set a new stake record and tied the track record for her division.
Tactical Moni (Brett Beckwith) got away fifth as the lead changed hands among Bridgeoverbroadway (Mitchell Cushing), Elegant Dance (Nick Graffam) and Peach Cocktail (Matty Athearn). Peach Cocktail took the girls to the half in 57 seconds, but as the race moved onto the backstretch, Beckwith had Tactical Moni out and trotting. She flew past the field to take the lead at three-quarters and opened up a four length gap at the top of the stretch. From there, the race was over as Tactical Moni won by 9 1/4 lengths in 1:53 3/5.
Tactical Moni is owned and was bred by Moni Maker Stable and is trained by Domenico Cecere.
The previous stake record of 1:53 4/5 was held by Treatyofversailles (2024), and the existing track record of 1:53 3/5 is co-held by Decadence (2017) and Stash Some Cash (2025).
However, all those records changed drastically again in the very next race, which was the second $45,000 division of trotting fillies, where Corner Store (Six Pack-Seven Eleven) put on an eye-popping performance.
Brett Beckwith fired Corner Store to the front and opened up a gapped advantage ahead of R Lady W (Matty Kakaley), who had settled in second. After fast fractions of 27 seconds and 54 4/5, Corner Store and R Lady W had broken away from the rest of the pack and were trotting up a storm at three-quarters in 1:22 3/5. After the race made its way through the turn, R Lady W was making up some ground as they headed down the stretch, but Corner Store was wrapped up and heading for home an easy winner by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:51 3/5, which was a new lifetime mark.
The time was also a new stake and track record and was only two-fifths of a second away from making Corner Store the fastest 3-year-old trotting filly ever bred in Massachusetts, a mark held by Raised By Lindy (1:51 1/5).
Corner Store ($3.20) is owned by her trainer Paul Kelley in partnership with Matthew Lamont, Ellen Palillo and Leo Bauer.
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The pacing fillies were up next in two $45,000 splits.
In the first, it was a one-horse race as Cindy's Faith (Roll With Joe-Ravenna Star) was a runaway winner.
Bruce Ranger set up shop on the point with Cindy's Faith and cut quarters of 27 2/5, 55 and 1:22 4/5 as the rest of the field followed with no answers. Cindy's Faith rounded the bend and bolted for the line while Ranger sat chilly to win by 10 1/4 lengths in a new lifetime record of 1:51 2/5.
Cindy's Faith ($2.80) is owned and was bred by Shark Racing and is trained by Larry Stalbaum.
Then, in the second division, Wassail Blue Chip (Courtly Choice-Baccara Hanover) tuned in the mile of her life in victory.
Beantown Deuce (Matty Kakaley) was leading at the quarter but soon succumbed to Wassail Blue Chip (Yannick Gingras), who had floated on the outside to gain command. Once in front, Wassail Blue Chip paced confidently to the half in 56 2/5 and three-quarters in 1:24 2/5. Challenges came from Beantown Deuce and Moneymakesherhappy (Brett Beckwith) in the final panel, but Wassail Blue Chip turned them both away to win by 2 1/4 lengths in a career-best 1:52 2/5.
Wassail Blue Chip ($17.00) is owned by Erv Miller Stable, Andray Farm and David J. Miller and trained by Alicia Gray. Blue Chip Bloodstock bred Wassail Blue Chip.
The pacing colts and geldings then took to the track in two $45,000 divisions.
The first group was won by Courageous Warrior (Huntsville-Chief Karen), who tied the stake record and took a new lifetime mark.
Courageous Warrior (Matty Athearn) lined up first in the turn before Digging For Gold (Nick Graffam) pulled from third to take the front at the quarter in 27 2/5. Digging For Gold then got to the half in 56 seconds and three-quarters in 1:23 3/5 while Courageous Warrior kept his nose on Graffam's helmet. Halfway through the turn, Athearn tipped Courageous Warrior and drew alongside Digging For Gold at the top of the stretch. The two matched strides to the line where Courageous Warrior moved to the lead by a neck in 1:51 1/5.
Courageous Warrior ($20.40) is owned by Curran Racing and Nickerson Racing and trained by Jimmy Nickerson.
The stake record for 3-year-old pacing males is now co-held by Rocknroll Lou (2024).
The second division went to Jon I Love Dat (Downbytheseaside-Franney Love Dat), who moved early and then hung on late for the win.
It was a five-horse mad dash off the gate that eventually saw Southpaw (Jimmy Whittemore) take command at the 26 3/5 quarter. However, that lead was short-lived as Gingras pulled Jon I Love Dat from third and had the front before the half. With only a minor threat posed by Massive Speed (Kevin Switzer Jr.) as they approached three-quarters, Jon I Love Dat and Southpaw continued to be the players as they made their way around the last turn. When they reached the top of the stretch, Southpaw pulled and tried to advance, but he came up three-quarters of a length short as Jon I Love Dat hung on to win in 1:52.
Jon I Love Dat ($2.80) is owned and was bred by Robert Lovett and is trained by Janice Connor.
The final stake event of the day was a single $75,000 division on trotting colts and geldings that was won by Te Quiero Lindy (Walner-Adios Lindy), who set a new stake record, tied the track record and tied his own lifetime mark with the victory.
Te Quiero Lindy (Tyler Miller) took the lead from stablemate My Degenerate (Andy Miller) in the first turn and then passed the quarter in 27 2/5. While Moni Man (Brett Beckwith) sat third, Te Quiero Lindy marched to the half in 57 3/5 and three-quarters in 1:25 1/5 with My Degenerate still waiting to move from the pocket. That came at the top of the stretch when Miller pushed My Degenerate to the outside and bore down on Te Quiero Lindy, matching strides with the leader all the way to the wire where it took a photo to show that Te Quiero Lindy had won by a nose in 1:53 2/5.
Te Quiero Lindy ($3.80) is owned by Andy Miller Stable, Patrick Hoopes and Lindy Farms of Connecticut, who also bred the winner.
The previous stake record was 1:53 3/5 (Big Man Ev 2017 and Pepper Wow 2024) and the track record is now co-held with Spanzaaaano (1:53 2/5, 2024).
Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Oct. 2) at 2 p.m. (EDT).
--press release (Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)--