On Sunday (July 25) Plainridge Park will host the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot and as part of Spirit Day’s race card that offers over $500,00 in total purses.
The tenth race of the day has been named for the Standardbred Transition Alliance in an effort to draw attention to the mission and important work this organization does towards training new skills and re-homing retired Standardbreds.
And to show how much spirit the racing community in Massachusetts has about making sure every retired Standardbred finds a career after racing, Plainridge Park, the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts, the Harness Horseman’s Association of New England and the New England Amateur Harness Drivers Club have partnered to make a direct donation of $3,500 to the STA.
Donations will also be accepted from any attending horsemen or fans who wish to contribute during the day of racing at Plainridge and those will be forwarded along with the check from the track.
The Standardbred Transition Alliance is a non-profit organization with federal 501(c)(3) status whose mission is to accredit, inspect and award grants to approved organizations that acquire, rehabilitate, train and re-home Standardbreds.
Funding is generated across the spectrum of the Standardbred industry, including regulatory agencies, horsemen’s groups, tracks, sales companies, farms, and individuals who participate as trainers, drivers, owners, and breeders.
The $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot is on Sunday (July 25) with post time for the first race set at 2:00 p.m. The card is also highlighted with the $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace and the $50,900 Bert Beckwith Memorial Pace and with total purses totaling in excess of $500,000, it’s the biggest day of harness racing in Massachusetts this year.
(Plainridge Park)