After a one-year hiatus, Grand Circuit racing will return to New England when Plainridge Park hosts the second edition of the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot for three-year-old and older trotters. Also, new for 2019 will be the $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace for three-year-old and older fillies and mares.
Both races will be contested on Sunday, July 28 and will be presented by Plainridge Park Casino and the Harness Horseman’s Association of New England (HHANE).
A total of 24 trotters (which includes one mare) have been kept eligible to the Spirit of Massachusetts (final sustaining payments were made in March). Among the group of possible entrants are two Hambletonian winners, six millionaires, the world’s record holder for the gait and a roster of top notch trotting talent that could headline at any track in North America.
Horses that are eligible to start include 2016 Hambletonian winner, trotting Triple Crown winner and Dan Patch Trotter of the Year Marion Marauder (Muscle Hill-Spellbound Hanover 1:51.2, $3,140,880), 2015 Hambletonian winner and Dan Patch Trotter of the Year Pinkman (Explosive Matter-Margie Seelster 1:51, $2,795,539) and the fastest trotter in the history of the sport, Homicide Hunter (Mr. Cantab-Evening Prayer 1:48.4, $1,730,177).
The first edition of Spirit of Massachusetts was held in 2017 when JL Cruze (Crazed-Topcat Hall 1:49.4, $1,354,202) and Andrew McCarthy toured the Plainridge Park oval in a track record time of 1:51.2 to upset the field at 60-1. JL Cruze is not eligible to this year’s edition of the stakes.
The inaugural $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace has attracted 24 mares and could prove to be a powerhouse race considering the horses that are eligible.
The field of eligibles is led by the 2018 Dan Patch Older Pacing Mare of the Year Shartin N (Tintin In America-Bagdarin 1:48.2, $1,635,728), the 2018 Dan Patch three-year-old pacing filly award recipient Kissin In The Sand (Somebeachsomewhere-Kiss Me Kate 1:47.4, $1,096,945), the 2017 Dan Patch two-year-old pacing filly award recipient Youaremycandygirl (American Ideal-Sweet Lady Jane 1:48.2, $1,469,938) and Bettor Joy N (Bettors Delight-Joyfulbelle 1:50.4, $226,917).
A complete list of all 24 eligibles to the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot can be found by clicking here.
A complete list of all 24 eligibles to the $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace can be found by clicking here.
(With files from Plainridge Park and the HHANE)