by Jack Ginnetti

Marlborough, MA — Driver-trainer John Hogan is finding out what he already knew — there’s no place like home.

Hogan, who won scores of driving titles in the 1980s at Foxboro and recently returned to Plainridge, put together a driving double on Thursday (October 4) at Plainridge Racecourse.

The native of nearby Marlborough, Mass., got off to a quick start in the first race, driving Sandoval to an impressive win in 1:55. He finished the card with a ninth race triumph with Elmer Smith’s Bad Kat in 1:56.1.

Hogan, who has amassed more than 4,200 career wins, has spent nearly 50 years in the sport, which began when he was just 16. He and his late father, Jim, are members of the New England Harness Writers Hall of Fame.

Plainridge favorite Mike Eaton continued his winning ways as well with a pair of trips to the winner’s circle. Eaton won the seventh race with Your Not Funny and took the $4,500 featured eighth race trot with Always On Guard.

Veteran driver-trainer Bob Tisbert, a master handler of trotters, won the second race with RC Green Jeans in 2:01. The 70-year-old teamster has more than 2,200 career wins and was the recipient of the harness writers’ Iron Man award in 2002.

Racing resumes at Plainridge on Monday (October 8) with a 1:00 p.m. post.

Plaintalk: Two of the biggest events in the history of the New England Harness Writers chapter take place next week. The public is invited to attend the 2:00 p.m. (October 10) dedication ceremonies at the site of the Readville, Mass. Trotting Park. Two days later, October 12, the scene shifts to Scarborough Downs in Maine where the chapter will stage its 29th Hall of Fame awards program honoring 22 recipients. Tickets are available by contacting Susan Higgins at (207) 883-4331 or Robert Lieberman or Greg Bowden at Plainridge.