Fifteen years ago, Jason Bartlett was just beginning his driving career. In those early years he divided his time between a home base in Maine and the newly opened Plainridge Racecourse.
Both the young driver and the Massachusetts track were in their formative days, and Bartlett was an integral part of Plainridge for much of its first decade.
Bartlett is scheduled to drive in six races Wednesday at Plainridge.
In the intervening years, Bartlett has moved on to bigger and better things. While spending the overwhelming amount of his time at Yonkers Raceway, his extraordinary abilities have made him among the top drivers in North America. Just this past Saturday, Bartlett guided PH Supercam to an upset victory in the $567,000 George Morton Levy series at Yonkers.
Wednesday afternoon, Bartlett returns to the familiar surroundings of Plainridge Racecourse, the venue where he enjoyed much success in the past. It will be the New England native's first appearance in the Bay State in nearly four seasons.
He arrives fresh off what must be considered one of the highlights of his driving career. Likewise, Plainridge Racecourse recently tallied a defining moment of its own, when the Massachusetts Gaming Commission awarded the track the state's sole Category 2 license.
The addition of expanded gaming has preserved live racing and offers an optimistic future. Without such a decision, Plainridge would be unable to present such a talent as Jason Bartlett to its local fans.
Bartlett is programmed to drive in six of the nine races on Wednesday's card, including aboard Busta Move in the feature event for open pacers.
Post time for Wednesday at Plainridge is 4:00 p.m.
(Plainridge)