Driver Ron Cushing held the hot hand at Scarborough Downs on Friday, parading victorious before the stands a total of four times, despite having his name conspicuously absent from the lineup when the days Official Program went to press. Cushing, who was handed a three-day suspension by Scarborough’s judges for allegedly causing interference while driving Off Keel in last Saturday’s ninth race received a last minute reprieve when issued a stay of execution from the Maine State Harness Racing Commission pending an appeal of the penalty.

That stay cleared the way for one of Scarborough’s top drivers to reclaim the raceway on Friday and he responded in spades. Cushing’s name was announced four times as a late driver change and in all four instances Cushing reigned supreme.

Cushing’s winning drives included scores aboard; the trotter Andrew (2:04.2) which he co-owns with trainer Joseph Nelson; the Maine-bred pacer Hart Condition (2:00.2) who recorded a brand new lifetime mark for proud owner Norman St. Clair; Wish All You Want (1:59.4) who won for the first time in over one-year following an abbreviated stakes career on the OJC circuit during the winter of 2009; and Yankee Sherwood (2:00.2) who he guided down victory lane for his father Rick Cushing of Wilton, Maine.

Cushing now stands firmly in second place on the Scarborough Downs leader board with 13 wins during the young race-meet, trailing only Shawn Gray who tallies 17 seasonal wins following a two-win performance on Friday.

Scarborough Downs proudly showcases live harness racing every Friday and Saturday at 4:00 PM (EDT) with the Sunday matinee underway at 1:30 PM.