Price Control scores in seasonal debut

Plainville, MA — Coming off a career harness racing year in 2025, Price Control made his first start of 2026 a winning one in the featured $22,000 pace at Plainridge Park on Thursday (July 9) afternoon. 

Price Control (Mitchell Cushing) tucked in second behind Patrikthepiranha N (Bruce Ranger) from the start and drafted there through quarters of :27.3 and :56.2. As the race headed up the backstretch to three-quarters, Cushing pulled Price Control, who then paced alongside Patrikthepiranha N around the far turn and into the stretch. As they straightened for home, Price Control inched ahead of Patrikthepiranha N in deep stretch and then held off the late-closing Call Me Maverick (Jim Hardy) to win by one-half length in 1:52.

PRICE CONTROL REPLAY

Price Control ($8.00) is owned by Ray Lasky and his driver, Mitchell Cushing, who also trains the gelding.

There were two $17,000 sub-featured events and both were won by pacers who were sent off heavy favorites, bred in Great Britain, owned by Burke Racing and Weaver Bruscemi, trained by James Heap and won in identical times.

First was Montana GB (Nick Graffam), who left from post two and took the lead just past the quarter. After setting splits of :26.4, :55.2 and 1:22.3, Montana GB kicked home on top by three lengths and stopped the clock in 1:51.1, tying his lifetime mark.

MONTANA GB REPLAY

Montana GB returned $3.40.

Then, Borninlockdown GB (Kevin Switzer Jr.) got away seventh from post nine and drafted in the back of the pack while Syracuse Express (Shawn Gray) tore down the road in :26.1, :53.4 and 1:21.4. 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 by the field to hit the line first by a half length in 1:51.1.

Borninlockdown GB paid an even $5.00.

Borninlockdown GB was only one of four winners for Switzer, who posted a grand slam during the afternoon. He also won with Whats For Suppaah (1:53.1, $7.00), Sandpiper N (1:52.4, $3.20) and Prince Malicious (1:54.2, $9.80).

Nick Graffam also had a driving hat trick and trainer James Heap scored a conditioning double.

Racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Thursday (July 9) at 4 p.m.

Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Plainridge Park can always be downloaded at their website (plainridgeparkcasino.com) under the “Racing” tab. You can also watch all the race replays on that same page.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts