Price Control made the first start of his five-year-old season a winning one in the featured $31,428 conditioned handicap pace at Plainridge Park on Thursday, July 9.
Price Control (Mitchell Cushing) tucked in second behind Patrikthepiranha A (Bruce Ranger) from the start and drafted there through fractions of :27.3 and :56.2. As the field headed up the backstretch to three-quarters in 1:23.4, Cushing pulled Price Control, who paced alongside Patrikthepiranha A around the far turn and into the lane. Price Control then inched ahead of Patrikthepiranha A in deep stretch and held off the late-closing Call Me Maverick (Jim Hardy) to win by a half-length in 1:52. Patrikthepiranha A was third.
Price Control ($8) is owned by Ray Lasky and his driver, Mitchell Cushing, who also trains the gelding. The son of Control The Moment-Shadow World won four of 21 starts in 2025, including an Open victory at Plainridge. He is now 12-for-52 lifetime.
There were two $24,286 sub-featured conditioned pacing events, and both were won by geldings who were sent off as favourites, were bred in Great Britain, are owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC and trained by James Heap, and completed the mile in 1:51.1.
First was Montana Gb (Nick Graffam), who left from post two and took the lead at the quarter. After setting splits of :26.4, :55.2 and 1:22.3, Montana Gb kicked home on top by three lengths and tied his lifetime mark. He returned $3.40.
Borninlockdown Gb (Kevin Switzer Jr.) got away seventh from post nine and drafted in the back of the pack through :26.1, :53.4 and 1:21.4 fractions. At three-quarters, Switzer tipped Borninlockdown Gb three-deep and into contention around the final bend. Still six lengths behind at the top of the stretch, Borninlockdown Gb swelled up and flew to a half-length victory. He paid $5 to win.
Borninlockdown Gb was one of four winners for Switzer on the 11-race card. The driver also won with Whats For Suppaah (1:53.1, $7), Sandpiper N (1:52.4, $3.20) and Prince Malicious (1:54.2, $9.80). Nick Graffam had a driving hat trick.
Racing will resume at Plainridge on Monday, July 13 at 4 p.m.
(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)