Plainville, MA — It was a big day for driver Mitchell Cushing on Tuesday (June 2) at Plainridge Park as he scored his 1,500th career win and eclipsed $15 million in career earnings on the strength of winning five races on the card, including the featured $27,500 Open Handicap Trot with his own trainee, A New Leader, who gave him the milestone victory.
A New Leader got away second behind Kazio DK (Kevin Switzer Jr.), who trotted to the half without a challenge in :56.2. Then Big Box Hanover (Nick Graffam) tipped from third and rushed towards the front, drawing near Kazio DK as they passed three-quarters in 1:24.
Kazio DK held Big Box Hanover at bay through the last turn, and when he finally faded, Cushing pulled A New Leader and barreled right by Kazio DK in deep stretch to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:52.4, which tied his lifetime mark.
It was the 20th career win for A New Leader ($41), who is owned by Ray Lasky and Mitchell Cushing.
Cushing also won the secondary featured $22,000 upper-level conditioned trot with Pepper Wow, who got away fourth early as Heavens Pic (Nick Graffam) and Mocha Java (Jay Randall) argued for the lead through the first half. Heavens Pic had control heading onto the backstretch, where Cushing pulled Pepper Wow and incrementally made his way to second as they made their way into the final bend. When the race reached the top of the stretch, Pepper Wow forged ahead to the lead and won by a length in 1:53.2, a new career clocking.
Pepper Wow ($3) is owned by Kathy and Earl Beaman and trained by Ivan Davies.
Cushing also won with Energetic Julio (1:55, $10.80), Chapere (1:54.4, $7) and Comeonover Hanover (1:54.3, $6.20), all of whom took lifetime marks in victory.
Mitchell Cushing, who has been driving since 2014 and is currently the third-leading driver at the Plainridge Park meet, now has 1,501 wins, 1,541 seconds, 1,524 thirds, and $15.02 million in earnings from 11,687 career starts.
Racing at Plainridge Park resumes on Thursday (June 4) at 4 p.m.; there will be a $32,423 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 in race 6.
Free full-card past performance programs and replays for every card of racing at Plainridge Park can always be accessed at plainridgeparkcasino.com.