The $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot will be held at Plainridge Park on Sunday (July 23) during the biggest race day of the summer in Massachusetts.

The card also features the $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace and the $75,000 Bert Beckwith Memorial Pace on a day with a total of $620,000 in purses up for grabs. Below are the selections of nine racing media members who made their picks for the three marquee events.  

Gordon Waterstone - Hall of Fame - USTA Editorial Specialist

BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL

WORKIN ONA MYSTERY - Classy horse with massive post relief will be tough to beat.

Leonidas A

Willie Go West N

CLARA BARTON PACE

DRAMA ACT - Should be tough to beat with her speed and inside post.

Max Contract

Mikala

SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT

ASTEROID - With the reining driver of the year, looks primed for a big effort in second North American start. 

Its Academic

Hillexotic 

Bob “Hollywood” Heyden - Hall Of Fame - Harness Racing Historian

BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL

WORKIN ONA MYSTERY - He gets a post position and class break and has a history of taking advantage. 

Moonshine Kisses

Red Right Hand 

CLARA BARTON PACE  

MIKALA - Comes off the stunner at the Meadowlands in the Dotty Haughton in a career best 1:47.4. 

Max Contract

Valar Dohaeris 

SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT

RATTLE MY CAGE - Has been right there with the division’s elite and draws significantly better.

Its Academic

Delayed Hanover 

Ken Warkentin - Hall of Fame - Meadowlands Racing Track Announcer - Voice of the Hambletonian

BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL

WORKIN ONA MYSTERY – Classy millionaire for Team Burke had no shot in his last two, lands the rail to trip out for Yannick Gingras.

Red Right Hand

Leonidas A

CLARA BARTON PACE

MAX CONTRACT – Betsy Ross winner got torched in the Dorothy Haughton, had no chance in the Perfect Sting, has a chance to take charge.

Drama Act

Sweet Treasure

SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT

ITS ACADEMIC – Fresh off a decisive score in the Crawford Farms, consistent six-year-old sparks a solid 1-2 punch for Team Burke

Hillexotic

Rattle My Cage

Ken Weingartner - Hall of Fame - USTA Media Relations Manager

BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL

NATAMERI – Looks sharp and beat world champion Ruthless Hanover two starts ago with Miller.

Workin Ona Mystery

Moonshine Kisses

CLARA BARTON PACE

MAX CONTRACT – Looks to return to winning ways after tough post, tough trip in last two.

Mikala

Drama Act

SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT

HILLEXOTIC – Set a world record on a five-eighths to win the Maxie Lee, gets the job done here.

Its Academic

Balenciaga

Brett Sturman - Harness Racing Update Columnist

BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL

MOONSHINE KISSES - Razor sharp, posted a 1:48.1 mile when last seen here in June.

Right Hand Red

Natameri

CLARA BARTON PACE

MIKALA - Wildly overlooked in the Dorothy Haughton, capable of early speed with Brennan.

Max Contract

Drama Act

SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT

ASTEROID - Latest Svanstedt import had a useful NA debut in the Crawford.

Rattle My Cage

Its Academic

Derick Giwner - DRF Harness Editor

BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL

LEONIDAS A - Has been facing tougher at Yonkers; classy.

Natameri

Moonshine Kisses

CLARA BARTON PACE

MAX CONTRACT - Was hampered by a tough trip last week.

Mikala

Drama Act

SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT

HILLEXOTIC - Has the pure speed to take charge.

Rattle My Cage

Its Academic 

Garnet Barnsdale - DRF Harness and Ontario Racing Handicapper

BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL

WORKIN ONA MYSTERY - Uses the rail to get a good trip today.

Red Right Hand

Moonshine Kisses

CLARA BARTON PACE

MAX CONTRACT - Will get a better trip today and prevail.

Mikala

Drama Act

SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT

ITS ACADEMIC - He’s on a roll and can overcome post nine.

Hillexotic

Delayed Hanover

Lenny Calderone - Plainridge Park Track Announcer

BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL

MOONSHINE KISSES – Has been super impressive in winning all three Plainridge starts; edge in highly competitive affair.

Workin Ona Mystery

Natameri

CLARA BARTON PACE

MAX CONTRACT – She is 10 for 18 lifetime and has the firepower to come away on top in a small but compact field.

Mikala

Sweet Treasure

SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT

ITS ACADEMIC – Millionaire trotter is in raging form and gets top vote despite outside post.

Hillexotic

Rattle My Cage

Tim Bojarski - Plainridge Park Racing Media Relations

BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL

MOONSHINE KISSES - Multiple Plainridge track record holder has definite home field advantage.

Workin Ona Mystery

Natameri

CLARA BARTON PACE

MIKALA - The mare is the best she’s ever been and comes in with momentum. 

Drama Act

Max Contract

SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT

ITS ACADEMIC - Will catch stablemate Hillexotic late to avenge last year’s second place finish.

Hillexotic

Asteroid

(Plainridge Park)