Anvil Hands Wins Starter Allowance at Plainridge
Anvil Hands and Colt Bennett each took Starter Allowance races at Plainridge Park on Monday, with Matty Athearn leading all drivers with three wins.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Equestrian
Anvil Hands won the $34,722 Starter Allowance race at Plainridge Park by 1-1/2 lengths in a lifetime best time of 1:50.3. Colt Bennett also captured the $27,778 Starter Allowance split in a lifetime best 1:51.1.
Why it matters
The results highlight the continued competitiveness of the Starter Allowance conditions at Plainridge Park, where multiple trainers and drivers recorded wins on the same card. Eleven different trainers each won one race on Monday.
Anvil Hands, a seven-year-old gelding with 27 career wins, finished 1-1/2 lengths ahead of Courageous Warrior, while Colt Bennett, owned and trained by Nancy Longobardi of Norfolk, MA, won by two lengths. The Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta carries over $30,273 USD into the next race card.
The players
Anvil Hands
A seven-year-old gelding owned by David Thibault and Christine Thibault, with 27 career wins, who won Monday's $34,722 Starter Allowance race.
Colt Bennett
A horse owned and trained by Nancy Longobardi of Norfolk, MA, who won Monday's $27,778 Starter Allowance split.
Plainridge Park
A harness racing track in Plainridge, Massachusetts, where both Starter Allowance races were held.
The details
Anvil Hands sat third, moved past Warrawee Yale at three-quarters, and held off Courageous Warrior on the final turn. Colt Bennett watched from fifth, tipped three-wide in the last turn, and kicked away to a two-length lead at the top of the stretch.
Timeline
Monday, November 2, 2026: Anvil Hands and Colt Bennett win Starter Allowance races at Plainridge Park.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 1 p.m.: Racing resumes at Plainridge Park.
Season Trajectory
Plainridge Park's Starter Allowance conditions continue to draw competitive fields, with Anvil Hands' fourth win of the year and Colt Bennett's fifth showing sustained form. Monday's card extended that pattern as eleven different trainers each secured one victory.
Anvil Hands' win and Colt Bennett's lifetime best times set reference marks for Starter Allowance horses at Plainridge Park. The Wicked Hi-5 carryover of $30,273 USD means the next card's pentafecta pool begins with a sizable base.
The takeaway
Consistent lifetime best efforts across a full card signal that Starter Allowance fields at Plainridge Park are performing at a high level. Track followers can watch the next card, racing Tuesday at 1 p.m., for further form.
Further reading
Explore more Equestrian coverage for context on racing across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Standardbred Canada.
