Julia Eaton earns trainer of the month honors

Following her selection as Plainridge Park’s Trainer of the Month for May, I caught up with Julia Eaton to discuss her stable’s success, standout performers, and a career milestone she recently achieved in the sulky.

For Eaton, receiving the award is especially meaningful given the competition she faces on a daily basis.

“Being named Trainer of the Month is such a high honor,” Eaton said. “Being able to compete against trainers I have looked up to my whole life and actually compete with them is incredible. I’m happy the horses and everyone involved with my team are getting recognition for their hard work.”

Eaton credits much of her success to the condition and determination of the horses in her barn.

“I’m extremely pleased with how the horses have been racing,” she said. “They’re all in very good shape and staying healthy. Most importantly, they’re all trying when they go out there, and that’s something you can’t train a horse to do.”

One horse who has played a major role in the stable’s success is Hes Coming On, who delivered a powerful performance in the $20,000 Starter Allowance Pace on May 28.

Eaton had plenty of praise for the talented pacer and his regular driver, Mitchell Cushing.

“Hes Coming On is a beast,” Eaton said. “He shocks me every time he goes out there. Both Mitch and the horse get along very well because they both know they’re giving 100 percent effort every time they’re on the track. It’s crazy how much heart and grit that horse has and how badly he wants to win. When he’s healthy, he can compete with the best. I’m honored to have the opportunity to train him.”

While the month was highlighted by strong performances from her stable, it also featured a personal milestone when Eaton earned her first career pari-mutuel driving victory with Dance Monkey on June 1.

The accomplishment is one she says she’ll never forget.

“Coming around the final turn, I knew I was a winner,” Eaton recalled. “The horse swelled up on the backside and felt extremely strong. Once we were halfway down the lane, I started smiling because I was proud of myself, but more importantly I was happy with Dance Monkey’s performance. It felt like all the lessons I’ve learned while driving had paid off. I’ll never forget that moment.”

As for the remainder of the season, Eaton remains focused on keeping her horses healthy and putting each one in the best possible position to succeed.

“Honestly, I focus on goals on a week-to-week basis,” Eaton said. “If a horse fits the right class and is healthy, I expect them to race well. You can’t expect to win every race they’re in. I set goals for each horse individually and have expectations for them every week. As a trainer, my goal is to keep every horse healthy and happy.”

With a Trainer of the Month award, a career milestone in the sulky and a stable firing on all cylinders, Eaton’s 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most memorable of her career.

Be sure to grab your FREE online program all season long by visiting plainridgeparkharnessracing.com and clicking on the “Free Program” tab