Plainville, MA — Driver Mitchell Cushing won three consecutive races in gate-to-wire fashion at Plainridge Park on Thursday (May 28) afternoon, including the featured $27,500 Open Pace with Binge On Yankee, who torched the track in a blistering 1:49.4.
Binge On Yankee flew off the wings, took the lead, and marched off quarters of :27.1 and :54.4 with Handlelikeaporsche (Nick Graffam) tucked in the pocket before turning onto the backstretch for the second half. Mydadsaid A (Jacob Cutting) made a first-over move at that point but never made an impact while Two Fold Cold (Dave Ingraham) initiated his patented late brush and was flying to three-quarters in 1:21.4. At the top of the stretch, Binge On Yankee had paced away from Handlelikeaporsche, but Two fold Cold and Jamaican Rock A (Chris Long) were positioned for a late push. However their efforts were to no avail as Binge On Yankee made it a blow-out, pulling away by 3-1/4 lengths and winning in a season’s best 1:49.4.
It was the 20th career win for Binge On Yankee ($4), who is owned by his trainer, Mark Eaton, in partnership with Robert Griffin.
Cushing also won the secondary-featured $25,000 upper-level conditioned pace with Alex Having Fun, who motored comfortably on the point through quarters of :27.1, :55.2 and 1:23.3 before rounding the last turn and holding off the pocket-sitting Rockin On Venus (Jacob Cutting) and the late-closing Confederatestar N (Matty Athearn) in the stretch to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:50.2.
It was the 44th lifetime win registered by Alex Having Fun ($7), who is owned and trained by Kimberly Vafiades.
Cushing completed his natural hat trick behind Hes Coming On ($4.80), who set a lifetime mark of 1:50 in his 4-1/4-length romp for trainer Julia Eaton. George Anthony Jr. owns the 5-year-old gelding.
Cushing also had a second and two thirds from his seven starts, giving him a stellar .603 UDR for the afternoon.
Racing at Plainridge Park resumes on Friday (May 29) at 4 p.m.; there will be a $25,318 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 in the sixth race.
Free full card past performance programs and replays for every live card of racing at Plainridge Park can always be accessed at plainridgeparkcasino.com.