Cecere’s Horses Dominate at Plainridge Park With Three Wins

Trainer Domenico Cecere enjoyed a stellar day at Plainridge Park on Thursday, Nov. 14, securing three victories, including one he personally drove, marking his best performance of the meet.  

Cecere’s standout moment came in the featured $34,722 Open Handicap Trot when Marquis Lafayette, piloted by Cecere himself, narrowly edged out stablemate Sforza, driven by Bruce Ranger. Marquis Lafayette started third as Snowpiercer, guided by Brett Beckwith, set the pace with fractions of :28.1, :57.1, and 1:25.1. Cecere launched Marquis Lafayette into action heading toward the three-quarters mark, eventually overtaking Snowpiercer in deep stretch. Marquis Lafayette held off a fast-closing Sforza to win by a quarter-length in 1:54.1, with Snowpiercer finishing third.  

The win marked Marquis Lafayette’s fourth victory in 14 starts this year. The seven-year-old gelding, sired by Ready Cash out of Highscore Kemp, is owned by Greathorse and paid $11.60 for the win.  

Cecere’s success extended earlier in the day with Intl Blockade, a three-year-old trotting gelding who dominated from start to finish in 1:55.3. The victory was Intl Blockade’s seventh of the year and came with a $12 payout. The gelding is owned by Lindy Farms of Connecticut.  

Cecere’s winning streak began with Southern Moni, a three-year-old trotting filly making her Plainridge debut. With Bruce Ranger in the sulky, Southern Moni cruised to a 1:54.2 win. Owned by Hutt Racing Stable, Tim Klemencic, Blake MacIntosh, and Ozzie MacKay, she paid $3 to win.  

Additionally, the day’s ninth race featured a lucrative Wicked Hi-5 Pentafecta, with a unique 20-cent wager combination of 4-6-5-7-1 paying out $4,650.96.  

Live racing at Plainridge Park continues Friday, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m., with just nine days remaining in the 2024 meet, which concludes on Friday, Nov. 29.