Trainer Cory Stratton made his first start in Massachusetts a memorable one after winning the $34,722 Open Handicap Pace with For Once Inmy Life in a 1:51 romp during opening day action of the 2026 meet at Plainridge 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 field of four made their way around the far turn, the pocket-sitting Handlelikeaporsche (Matty Athearn) tipped out and attempted to take on the leader. But Ranger sent For Once Inmy Life home under wraps in :26.4 to complete the two-length 1:51 score. Handlelikeaporsche settled for second with Borninlockdown GB (Kevin Switzer Jr.) third and Tenzing Bromac N (Ron Cushing) a distant fourth after a mid-race miscue.

The win was the third of the year in seven starts for the heavily backed For Once Inmy Life, who paid $3 to win. The six-year-old Downbytheseaside-Flyme To The Moon gelding is owned by Winters Racing of nearby Foxboro, Massachusetts.

In the $30,556 Open II, Binge On Yankee lit up the board after a furious late rush to victory in his season's debut.

Binge On Yankee and 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 six-year-old 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. Hunting Zone finished half a length back with Mullinax (Bruce Ranger) completing the top three over favourite Vanderbilt N (Ron Cushing). 

Binge On Yankee returned $34 for the 16-1 upset. The son of Stay Hungry-Bootleg Yankee is owned by trainer Mark Eaton in partnership with Robert Griffin of Salem, Massachusetts.

The Binge On Yankee upset that Mitchell 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 Whats For Suppah ($26.20). Both were 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) and Joy In Mudville ($5.80).

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday, April 14 at 4 p.m. 

(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)