Plainridge Park: Benny Is A Jet breaks track record

Benny Is A Jet has only made five starts at Plainridge Park this year but it's not how many starts you make, it's what you do when you make them. And on Thursday (Oct. 1) Benny Is A Jet made history as he rewrote the track's record book after becoming the fastest 3-year-old pacing gelding in the tracks 21-year history.

In a $15,000 conditioned event four 4-year-olds and under, Benny Is A Jet (Mitchell Cushing) got away second behind Prince Galaxy (Matty Athearn) who paced to the quarter in 26 4/5. But he only remained in the second seat for another eighth of a mile as Cushing pulled him in front of the stands and took the lead before the half, and from there he raced against the clock.

Benny Is A Jet burned up the backstretch in another 26 4/5 quarter and opened up a three-length lead by the top of the stretch. As the race headed towards the wire, Benny Is A Jet extended his lead to six under a hand drive with the plugs in and stopped the timer in 1:50 4/5, which was a new lifetime mark and track record.

It was the fourth win in the last five starts for Benny Is A Jet ($9.00) who is owned by Bradford Veilleux and Anthony Loiko. James Dunn trains the new record-holder.

Five horsemen registered two victories each at Plainridge on Thursday. Drivers Mitchell Cushing, Kevin Switzer Jr. and Bruce Ranger along with trainer Jimmy Nickerson and Artie Brewer accounted for those 10 wins.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday (Oct. 2) with post time at 2 p.m. The Massachusetts Sire Stakes resume this week at Plainridge on Sunday (Oct. 4) and Monday (Oct. 5). Post time for both of those cards is also 2 p.m.

-edited release (Tim Bojarski for Standardbred owners of Mass.)