by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts

Plainville, MA — After finishing third and second in her first two outings at Plainridge Park, Meadows transplant Show Runner, with Shawn Gray driving, made three moves en route to claiming her first victory here in the $16,000 fillies and mares Winners-Over Handicap pace Tuesday afternoon (June 26).

The outside posts got away best as Tempus Seelster (with Greg Merton) took the lead from Post 7, seating Western Stepp (Drew Campbell), who left from Post 8.

Show Runner, who got away third, was not deterred by the :26.2 first panel and pulled to go up for the lead. Tempus Seelster tried to prevent her from clearing but the eventual winner took over by the three-eighths.

The lead only lasted for a few strides as Merton asked Tempus Seelster once again and she retook the lead by the half in a quick :54.2. As soon as the dust had settled from that move, Campbell made his from third with Western Stepp and she got to the front midway up the backstretch.

Western Stepp proceeded to open up a three-length advantage at the three-quarter pole while Show Runner became locked in fifth, at least six lengths off the pace. With the gap widening, Gray was able to regroup and he got Show Runner off the pylons around a fading horse, then ducked back down low around the far turn.

At the top of the lane, Western Stepp still held a two-length margin but Gray saw the pylon lane part like the Red Sea and he got Show Runner in gear. From there the mare outpaced three other closing horses, catching the leader to win by a neck in a five-horse photo in 1:52.3.

It was the 57th lifetime win for Show Runner ($3) and it put the California-bred 8-year-old mare’s career bankroll at $522,791.

Show Runner is owned by A Piece of the Action Stable and is trained by Eric Beach.

Mitchell “Cash” Cushing was at it again Tuesday, bringing home yet another longshot in the first race. In the “2008 Celts” $10,000 claiming series, Cushing sat third with Freetime behind the favored Empty Gesture (Gray) and Spilling the Beans (Greg Merton) for almost three-quarters of the mile before pulling into the last turn and drawing alongside Empty Gesture. From there, a highly animated Cushing urged his mare to the front and the pair cruised to a two-length victory in 1:52.3 at 30-1.

The winning time was a seasonal mark for Freetime ($71.20) and it was only one-fifth off her lifetime mark taken at Plainridge Park two years ago. Freetime is owned and trained by Mike Cushing.

Mitchell Cushing is sixth in the driver’s dash-win standings for the meet with 20 victories out of 134 starts. He has a 79% return on investment rating, which is an amazing number based on the large number of starts.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park Thursday (June 28) with post time set for 4 p.m.