Father-son duo dominate at Plainridge

Plainville, MA — Harness racing drivers Ron Cushing and (his son) Mitchell Cushing dominated the harness racing action at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 12) as they accounted for five wins during the card.

Ron Cushing won the $20,000 upper-level conditioned pace with his newest stable member Alta Classic A (Alta Christiano), who remained undefeated since starting his North American career less than two weeks ago.

Alta Classic A got away third while fellow Aussie Torrid Saint A (Matty Athearn) led the field to the half in :56.1. Cushing was out and rolling with Alta Classic A at that point and drew alongside the leader at the five-eighths. Torrid Saint A and Alta Classic A then matched strides up the backstretch, around the last turn and into the stretch with neither getting an advantage.

As they got into deep stretch, Alta Classic A finally forged ahead and won by one-half length over the late closing Just A Little Bit A (Nick Graffam) in 1:51.4, which was a second consecutive lifetime mark.

Alta Classic A ($5.60) is now two for two in the northern hemisphere for Cushing, who co-owns the gelding with Kevin Sywyk. Heidi Cushing trains the winner.

ALTA CLASSIC A REPLAY

Mitchell Cushing brought the other four winners back for pictures as he led all drivers on Thursday with a grand slam. Cushing won with Buerger (Blue Burner, 1:55.2, $29.80), Bettor Option (Bettor’s Delight, 1:53.3, $3.80), Wainapedia (Western Maverick, 1:53.4, $8.60) and Miki U So Fine (Always B Miki, 1:53, $7.00), who won the nightcap co-featured $20,000 District 9 pace for owner/trainer Domenic Longobardi.

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Friday (Oct. 13) at 2 p.m. and there will be a $35,603 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race six.

The $3 million Massachusetts Sire Stakes will reconvene at Plainridge Park on Monday (Oct. 16) at 2 p.m. when the third leg of 2-year-olds will go postward. The 3-year-olds will go on Tuesday (Oct. 17) and the finals for both age groups will be held on Tuesday (Oct. 24). Horsemen are reminded there will be a detention barn for the finals and all horses must be checked into the stable area at Plainridge Park no later than 8 p.m. on Monday (Oct. 23).

Log on to the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts website at sominc.net or visit their Facebook page for information and updated points and earnings leading right up to the finals.

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

by Tim Bojarski, for Plainridge Racecourse