The $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace will be the secondary feature to the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot at Plainridge Park on Sunday afternoon, July 23 and a mare that was grossly overlooked by the bettors at the Meadowlands last Saturday will probably be heavily supported in the Barton this week.
Mikala and driver George Brennan raced in the $159,000 Dorothy Haughton Memorial at The Meadowlands and were let go at 41-1. The pair got away sixth from a post seven start and were parked out every step of the mile from there. As Silver Label was cutting fractions of :26, :53.4 and 1:21, Mikala was following cover third-over while advancing to get within three lengths of the leader at the top of the stretch. About halfway down the lane, Brennan tipped off cover and brushed past Grace Hill just before the beam to win in 1:47.4, giving Mikala a new lifetime mark.
After the $84.80 payout was posted, the win came as a surprise to the betting public. But it was no surprise to her trainer Nik Drennan, who believes when his mare is right, she’s as good as anything out there.
“Mikala was a $180,000 yearling purchase at the 2019 Lexington Selected Sale and she only started twice as a two-year-old because she was pretty immature," said Drennan. "And when we brought her back at three, she wasn’t heavily staked because she had only started twice. Once she got underway, she went from a non-winners of one right into the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes against the top fillies. It was a big jump for her but she made it and she did well, winning six races that year. When she came back at four, she continued to progress and started the year off strong."
That strong start in 2022 included four consecutive wins at the Meadowlands, three of which were in the Graduate Series where she took three consecutive lifetime marks of 1:49.4, 1:49.1 and 1:48.3. But the continuity she had built up with Brennan abruptly ended for several starts.
“The week before the Graduate final, George’s appendix burst and he was unable to drive her. Then she drew the 10-hole in the Haughton and got a rough trip there," noted Drennan. "I’m not making excuses for her, but she's had a lot of bad luck.
“This year it’s been tough keeping her healthy. She finished fourth in the Roses Are Red elimination but we didn’t go back for the final because she was sick. Then in her next start in the Perfect Sting at The Meadowlands, she was going to be second, but got into some road trouble and was interfered with. The race last week just worked out where she got a good trip and it looks like she’s healthy now too so hopefully we can continue that.”
Drennan has always believed in his mare’s ability and is glad she was finally able to put it all together.
“I figured going into the Haughton last week that if she got a good trip, she would be fine because she is feeling really good now and George said she was very good the previous week," said Drennan. "When she’s on her game, she’s as good as anyone. But she’s not always on her game because of allergies and tying up. And if they’re not 100 per cent at that level, it makes a big difference.
“Her 1:47.4 mile really didn’t surprise me because she paced in [1]:48 last year. It was more a relief than anything because we’ve been battling away and trying to get everything aligned so I was happy for the owners that she performed like she did. It was good for everyone involved.”
Drennan said he was happy with the way Mikala came out of last week's race and she’s had a good week leading up to the Barton. So as of right now, everything looks good for this week's race.
This will be Drennan’s first trip to Plainridge Park and if Mikala wins the Barton, he will also be the first trainer to do so other than Jim King Jr., as King won the first four editions -- twice with Shartin N and twice with Lyons Sentinel, who respectively set and tied the stakes record of 1:48.1.
Post time for Spirit of Massachusetts Day on Sunday is 2 p.m., but the gates open at 1 p.m. for an afternoon featuring an array of activities.
Owners, trainers and their connections of horses racing in the stakes will be treated to a welcome luncheon in the Boylston Room, upstairs in the grandstand.
Todd Angilly of the Boston Bruins will be singing the national anthem before the first race and will also be performing at other times during the day along with the Berkshire Valley Boys, who will be providing entertainment throughout the day between races.
Guests will be able to get a free Plainridge Park commemorative 25th anniversary hat compliments of Plainridge Park Casino and the Harness Horseman’s Association of New England and B101-FM Providence will be on the property giving fans a chance to win racing binoculars compliments of Plainridge Park Casino and B101-FM.
The Home Stretch food truck will be available near The Patio and a bar will be open at The Hut outside of the grandstand.
Visit Plainridge Park's website at plainridgeparkcasino.com to download free racing programs.
(Plainridge Park)