by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts

Plainville, MA — Eddie Davis Jr. reached the major career milestone of 5,000 wins at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (July 23) when he captured the $14,000 Winners Over Handicap feature pace with Quick Shot in commanding fashion.

Tom Melanson photo

Eddie Davis Jr. reached the major career milestone of 5,000 wins at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon.

From his assigned post six, Quick Shot fired to the front and never looked back. Stopping the timer in :26, :55 and 1:22.2, the gelding looked stronger as the mile went on. Heading down the lane the pocket-sitting BJ’s Guy (Shawn Gray) popped out of the hole to try and run him down, but Davis and Quick Shot held sway and sailed to a two length, 1:50.4 win.

The winning time was a new seasonal mark for Quick Shot and only one-fifth of a second off his lifetime best. Quick Shot ($5.80) now has eight wins and $73,860 in 2018 for owner Kathleen Brewer and trainer John Bowman.

Davis has been driving since 1982 and has been a highly sought, high percentage catch-driver throughout his career. The 52-year-old Delaware native now has 5,001 wins (No. 5,001 was with Blackmalin in race 11), 5,117 seconds and 5,448 thirds in 38,869 starts and $35,789,944 in earnings. His best winning season was in 2015 when he scored 330 and he had a $3 million earnings year in 2002. Currently at Plainridge, Davis is ninth in wins among all drivers.

There was a huge payout in the race six Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta. With a carryover pool in excess of $17,000, the owner of a single 20-cent winning ticket on the combination of 6-4-3-2-8 received a massive payout of $20,049.66.

Shawn Gray led all drivers for the day, making four trips to the winner’s enclosure.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (July 24) with post time set for 4 p.m.