Jackson Cooper stuns rivals at 55-1

Plainville, MA — Although not having won in the past several weeks, Jackson Cooper (Captaintreacherous) hasn’t been racing all that bad in the top class at Plainridge Park, and certainly not bad enough to be let go at 55-1. But that was the case on Thursday (Sept. 10) and the overlooked harness racing 4-year-old made everyone regret it after ran away with the $25,000 Open Handicap pace at The Ridge. 

Nick Graffam floated Jackson Cooper off the gate from post seven as Soho Spectre A (Brett Beckwith) out-dueled Wild Bill Wyatt (Mike Oosting) for the lead heading to the :26.3 quarter. But as soon as Soho Spectre A crossed over, Jackson Cooper rushed to the front and then never looked back. After getting to the half in :54.4 and then sprinting to three-quarters in :27 flat, Jackson Cooper took a one length lead into the last turn and maintained it to the top of the stretch. There, the pocketed Soho Spectre A started gaining ground inside while Still Rollin N (Matty Athearn) was flying fast in the middle of the track. All three hit the line in close quarters, but it was Jackson Cooper who hung on by a head and won in 1:50.2.

JACKSON COOPER REPLAY

Jackson Cooper ($119.40), who holds the track record (1:49.3) for 3-year-old pacing geldings that he set last year, is owned by Jesmeral Stable and trained by Matty Medeiros.

There was also a $25,000 Open Handicap trot on the card and the lone mare, the Massachusetts-bred Corner Store, beat up on a field of boys for the third time this year.

Corner Store (Mike Oosting) got away third as Spaaaanzao (Bruce Ranger) took the lead from Heavens Pic (Nick Graffam) past the :27.1 quarter. But then Corner Store was quickly out and rolling to gain the top spot before the half. From there, Corner Store was on a mission as she opened up a three length advantage at three-quarters in 1:23.1, where Pepper Wow (Mitchell Cushing) moved into contention third, and was gaining. The race moved through the turn and into the stretch where Spaaaanzano and Pepper Wow were closing the gap, but both came up a length short as Corner Store closed it out in 1:52.3.

CORNER STORE REPLAY

Corner Store ($4.40), who set the track and stake record for 3-year-old filly trotters in the Massachusetts Breeders Stakes last year, is owned by Paul Kelley Racing, Matthew Lamont, Ellen Palillo and Nancy Bauer. Paul Kelley trains the mare.

There was also one $15,000 Romper Room trot for 2-year-old Massachusetts-breds who are eligible for the $3.2 million (est.) Massachusetts Breeder Stakes which start on Monday, September 28. That race was won by I Like Green (Greenshoe-Royal Lady) and driver John Beckwith, who steered the colt to the front past the quarter and then led the rest of the way en route to a new lifetime mark of 1:58.

I Like Green ($2.60) is owned by Gary Mahany and trained by his driver, John Beckwith.

Drivers Matty Athearn, Brett Beckwith and Mike Oosting all had two wins while 11 different trainers each had two wins apiece.

Racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday (Sept. 14) at 2 p.m.

Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Plainridge Park can always be downloaded at their website (plainridgeparkcasino.com) under the “Racing” tab. You can also watch all the race replays on that same page.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts