Plainville, MA — Father-son duo Ron and Mitchell Cushing dominated the action at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 12), accounting for a combined five wins on the card.
Ron Cushing won the $20,000 upper-level conditioned pace with his newest stable member Alta Classic A, who remained undefeated since starting his North American career less than two weeks ago.
Alta Classic A got away third while fellow import 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. But as they got into deep stretch, Alta Classic A 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 Ron Cushing, who co-owns the gelding with Kevin Sywyk. Heidi Cushing trains the winner.
Mitchell Cushing brought the other four winners back for pictures as he led all drivers on Thursday with a grand slam. The younger Cushing won with Buerger (1:55.2, $29.80), Bettor Option (1:53.3, $3.80), Wainapedia (1:53.4, $8.60) and Miki U So Fine (1:53, $7.00). Cushing and Miki U So Fine 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. There is 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 round 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 or visit their Facebook page for information and updated points and earnings.