Plainridge Park will host the ninth edition of the Grade 2 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot along with the Grade 3 Clara Barton Distaff Pace on Sunday, July 19, on a special afternoon card of racing that will also feature some of the best resident overnight horses currently racing at The Ridge.

New England’s premier day of harness racing will get underway at 2 p.m.

This year, the purses for both races have been increased to record levels. The Spirit Of Massachusetts Trot will go for $300,000 USD and has 24 eligible trotters, whereas the Clara Barton is valued at $150,000 USD and has seen 16 mares nominated.  

Also on the card will be the $75,000 USD Bert Beckwith Memorial Invitational Pace, the $50,000 USD John Hogan Memorial Pace and the weekly $27,500 USD Open Trot and Open Distaff Pace. The total purse value for the program will be approximately $750,000 USD.

For the fans in attendance, the day will feature food, music, giveaways and special guests during the afternoon of high-caliber Grand Circuit racing.

Owners, trainers and their connections of horses racing in the stakes that day will be treated to a special welcome luncheon in the Boylston Room, upstairs in the grandstand.

There will be a meet and greet with Homicide Hunter, whose 1:48.4 clocking at The Red Mile in Kentucky made him the fastest trotter in the world in 2018. Homicide Hunter retired in 2020 and his remarkable record was broken this year, but he has gone on to become a champion show horse under the guidance of MMXX Standardbreds. He will be on hand with the MMXX team to meet, greet and take pictures with all the fans on Spirit Sunday in his own paddock, which will be located just outside the grandstand. Homicide Hunter will also lead the post parade for the Spirit of Massachusetts Trot.

Plainridge will have a full panel of experts doing trackside live pre-race analysis and interviews throughout the day. Edison Hatter, Meadow Twaddle and Joe Romanelli will be at the desk in the winner’s enclosure and will be broadcast to both the in-house feed as well as to the simulcast audience worldwide. And Plainridge Park’s track announcer, Lenny Calderone, will be in the booth high atop the grandstand describing all the exciting and fast-paced action.

Live music will be provided by the Berkshire Valley Boys, who will be providing entertainment throughout the day between races.

There will also be a Plainridge Park baseball cap giveaway, limited to one per person and available while supplies last.

The food truck will be available near The Patio and a bar will be open at The Hut outside of the grandstand.  

All the day’s activities are sponsored by Plainridge Park Casino, the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts and the Harness Horseman’s Association of New England.

The draw for this big card of racing will take place on Wednesday, July 15, with the box closing at 9 a.m.

(Plainridge Park; photo of 2025 Spirit Of Massachusetts Trot champion Up Your Deo)