Siskel scorches seasonal best at Plainridge Park
September 27, 2018,by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts
Plainville, MA — Coming off his best effort of the year last week, Siskel bounced back even sharper to post the fastest mile of the Thursday (Sept. 27) card, as he won the featured $12,000 conditioned pacing event at Plainridge Park.
Tom Melanson photo
Siskel, who won Thursday’s top pacing event at Plainridge Park, capped a driving grand slam for Mitchell Cushing.
When the dust of five leavers settled, Some Attitude (Nick Graffam) ended up on top through a blistering :25.4 first quarter while Siskel (Mitchell Cushing) sat drafting in second. The top two horses broke away from the pack by two lengths and cut fast fractions of :54 and 1:21.3 before heading into the final turn.
By the top of the stretch, Cushing had Siskel out and moving, and they drew alongside Some Attitude. With both Cushing and Graffam getting after their mounts, Siskel finally got an edge and Cushing rocked him all the way to the wire to win in 1:50.2, which was a new seasonal mark.
Siskel ($8.80) scored his fourth win of the year for owner Joseph Trice and trainer Jimmy Nickerson.
Siskel was just one of four winners piloted by Mitchell Cushing on Thursday. Shawn Gray also had a driving triple, while Jimmy Whittemore got two wins of his own.
Those bettors seeking instant fortunes had a field day at Plainridge Park on Thursday as some big money payouts highlighted the day.
In the 10th race, Crush Hanover (McGwire Sowers), who was overlooked at the windows, scored a come-from-behind victory at 60-1 and blew up the tote board with a $123.80 win mutuel. The 5-7 exacta returned $924.60 and the 5-7-2 trifecta paid $3,029.20.
Then in the 12th race, Viceroy Hanover (Drew Campbell) went from last to first and scored a minor upset paying $19.80, but triggered a superfecta combination of 7-9-1-6 that paid $19,135.00.
The first legs of the Massachusetts Sire Stakes (MASS) were drawn and will headline the next two cards of racing at Plainridge Park. Monday (Oct. 1) has four divisions for 2-year-old trotters and pacers. Then on Tuesday (Oct. 2), there are five divisions for 3-year-old trotters and pacers. Post time for both days is 2 p.m.