Coming off his best effort of the year last week, Siskel bounced back even sharper to post the fastest mile of the day as he won the $12,000 conditioned pacing event at Plainridge Park.
When the dust of five leavers settled, Some Attitude (Nick Graffam) ended up on top and blistering a :25.4 first quarter while Siskel (Mitchell Cushing) sat drafting 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 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 for the winner.
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 with Jimmy Whittemore getting 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 two-year-old trotters and pacers going for between $38,700 and $43,034 each. Then on Tuesday (Oct. 2) there are five divisions for three-year-old trotters and pacers that will vie for purses totalling between $21,925 and $41,450. Post time for both days is 2 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)