Driver Mitchell Cushing pulled A New Leader off the pylons after a pocket trip and guided the longest shot on the board to victory in the $38,194 Open Handicap Trot, creating the highlight of his five-win day at Plainridge Park on Tuesday, June 2.

A New Leader got away second behind Kazio Dk (Kevin Switzer Jr.), who trotted to the quarter in :27.4 and half in :56.2 without a challenge. 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 the challenger finally faded, A New Leader shifted out and barrelled by Kazio Dk in deep-stretch to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:52.4, which tied his lifetime mark. Bravado (Drew Monti) closed for second over Kazio Dk. 

A New Leader, sent off at 19-1, took his first win of the year in seven starts and raised his career record to 20-for-101. Cushing trains the seven-year-old son of Trixton-Miss Directed and co-owns him with Ray Lasky. The win price was $41.

Cushing also won the sub-featured $30,556 upper-level optional-claiming trot for his fifth win on the nine-race card. He had Pepper Wow 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 approached the final bend. When the field reached the top of the stretch, Pepper Wow forged ahead to the lead and won by a length in a career-best 1:53.2. Heavens Pic was second, followed by Lava Field (Bruce Ranger). Pepper Wow ($3) is owned by Kathy and Earl Beaman and trainer Ivan Davies. The five-year-old Crazy Wow-Tori Hall stallion is now 13-for-48 lifetime.

The reinsman also won with Energetic Julio (1:55, $10.80), Chapere (1:54.4, $7) and Comeonover Hanover (1:54.3, $6.20), all of which took lifetime marks in victory. Cushing, who has been driving since 2014, now has 1,501 wins, 1,542 seconds and 1,523 thirds from 11,687 starts and $16.5 million in earnings. He is currently the third-leading driver at the Plainridge meet.

Racing resumes at Plainridge on Thursday at 4 p.m. There will be a $32,422 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the sixth race.

(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts).