Plainville, MA — Trainer Cory Stratton made his first start in Massachusetts a memorable one after winning the $25,000 Open Handicap pacing feature with For Once Inmy Life in a 1:51 romp during opening day action of the 2026 meet at Py lainridge Park on Monday (April 13).
Driver Bruce Ranger sent For Once Inmy Life right to the front and cut a swift :26.2 quarter. As the abbreviated field followed the leader straight in line, For Once Inmy Life got to the half in :56.3 and three-quarters in 1:24.1.
As the race made its way around the far turn, the pocket-sitting Handlelikeaporsche (Matty Athearn) tipped out and attempted to take on the leader. But Ranger stepped on the gas and sent For Once Inmy Life home under wraps in :26.4 to complete the two-length, 1:51 score.
It was the third win of the year for the heavily backed For Once Inmy Life ($3.00) who is owned by Winters Racing of nearby Foxboro, Massachusetts.
In the co-featured $22,000 Open II, Binge On Yankee lit up the board after a furious late rush to victory.
Binge On Yankee (Mitchell Cushing) got away a distant seventh and remained there as Hunting Zone (Shawn Gray) was the leader of the pack through quarters of :26.2, :54.1 and 1:22 to three-quarters. At that point, Cushing had moved Binge On Yankee to the outside and the gelding was pacing up a storm as the group rounded the final bend. When the race reached the stretch, Binge On Yankee continued to make up ground and took the lead in the shadow of the wire to win in 1:50.4.
It was the first start and first win of the year for Binge On Yankee ($34.00), who is owned by his trainer Mark Eaton, in partnership with Robert Griffin.
The Binge On Yankee upset that Cushing pulled off was only the tip of the iceberg. He also won the last two races of the day, giving him a natural hat trick, with bombers Wainapedia ($48.80) and What’s For Suppah ($26.20), and both trained by Michelle Hardin, who was the day’s top trainer.
Kevin Switzer Jr. also had a natural hat trick in the lead-off position, first three races. He won with Seafood Neighneigh ($2.80), Noted A ($7.00) and Joy In Mudville ($5.80).
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (April 14) at 4 p.m.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Plainridge Park can always be downloaded at their website (plainridgeparkcasino.com) under the “Racing” tab. You can also watch all the race replays on that same page.