The recently landed four-year-old New Zealand-bred Johnny Lincoln N made a statement in his second start at Plainridge Park on Monday, Sept. 7 as he cruised to his first North American win in the $23,611 conditioned pacing feature. 

Mitchell Cushing floated Johnny Lincoln N off the gate and tangled with Be Ready To Rock (Matty Athearn) to the quarter in :27 before clearing in front of the grandstand. Once settled on the point, Johnny Lincoln N was quickly challenged by the favoured Dead Mans Chain (Brett Beckwith), who pushed the pace up the backside going to a :54.3 half before fading at three-quarters in 1:22.3. Johnny Lincoln N started to pull away as he entered the turn, and when he hit the stretch, he swelled up and cruised home on top by 3-1/2 lengths to win in 1:50.4. Houdini Hanover (Brad Irvine) finished second, followed by Be Ready To Rock.

Johnny Lincoln N ($9.20) is owned by Caldwell Mamie Racing LLC and trained by Cory Stratton. The son of Lather Up-Ima Megastar won for the sixth time in 25 career outings.

Cushing also put a new lifetime mark on D A Lets Dance, who like Johnny Lincoln N, paced off the screen in the $20,833 conditioned pace for four-year-olds and under. D A Lets Dance went right to the front, cutting fractions of :27.2, :56.1 and 1:25 before turning for home on top by three lengths. As he paced down the lane, he extended that lead to five at the line to complete a 1:53 win. D A Lets Dance ($2.60) is owned by Jeffrey Epstein and Steven Gondelman and trained by Jimmy Nickerson. 

Cushing ended the day with a grand slam in the bike, including a natural hat trick in races four, five and six. Besides the already mentioned Johnny Lincoln N and D A Lets Dance, Cushing won with Colt Bennett (1:52.4, $9) and Arthur Idlam (1:53.4, $12.60). 

There was also a $20,833 Starter Allowance on Monday that was won by another front-stepper who took a lifetime mark, Jettingtomalibu. Leaving from post one, Jettingtomalibu (Bruce Ranger) set fast fractions of :26.1, :53.2 and 1:21.3 before turning for home and holding off the fast-closing Anvil hands (Jimmy Hardy) by a quarter-length in 1:50.4. Jettingtomalibu ($5) is owned by John Barnard and trained by Irwin Rosenthal. 

Racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Tuesday at 2 p.m.

(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)