$3 million Massachusetts Sire Stakes starts Monday

The Massachusetts Sire Stakes will kick off its four week run at Plainridge Park on Monday (Sept. 25) and for the first time in its history, total purses have hit the $3 million mark. Another milestone that was achieved this year was the largest amount of eligible horses that entered the first weekend. A total of 74 horses will compete over the first two days, making it the most populated stake draw in the 25 years the series has been held at Plainridge.

There will be eight 3-year-old divisions going on Monday for a total of $320,000 and six 2-year-old groups will start on Tuesday (Sept. 26) for a combined $310,000. Post time for both days is 2 p.m.

Walpole, Mass. native trainer George Ducharme has entered a total of 11 horses over the two days including the 2-year-old trotting colt Keep Asking (Chapter Seven-Sensibility), who is a two-time winner on the New York Sire Stake circuit this year, took a new mark of 1:54 at Vernon Downs and has already earned $148,813 in purses. That 1:54 win at Vernon equaled the track record for 2-year-old trotting colts set by Crazy Wow in 2014.