The $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot will be held at Plainridge Park on Sunday (July 23) during the biggest race day of the summer in Massachusetts.
The card also features the $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace and the $75,000 Bert Beckwith Memorial Pace on a day with a total of $620,000 in purses up for grabs. Below are the selections of nine racing media members who made their picks for the three marquee events.
Gordon Waterstone - Hall of Fame - USTA Editorial Specialist
BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL
WORKIN ONA MYSTERY - Classy horse with massive post relief will be tough to beat.
Leonidas A
Willie Go West N
CLARA BARTON PACE
DRAMA ACT - Should be tough to beat with her speed and inside post.
Max Contract
Mikala
SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT
ASTEROID - With the reining driver of the year, looks primed for a big effort in second North American start.
Its Academic
Hillexotic
Bob “Hollywood” Heyden - Hall Of Fame - Harness Racing Historian
BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL
WORKIN ONA MYSTERY - He gets a post position and class break and has a history of taking advantage.
Moonshine Kisses
Red Right Hand
CLARA BARTON PACE
MIKALA - Comes off the stunner at the Meadowlands in the Dotty Haughton in a career best 1:47.4.
Max Contract
Valar Dohaeris
SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT
RATTLE MY CAGE - Has been right there with the division’s elite and draws significantly better.
Its Academic
Delayed Hanover
Ken Warkentin - Hall of Fame - Meadowlands Racing Track Announcer - Voice of the Hambletonian
BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL
WORKIN ONA MYSTERY – Classy millionaire for Team Burke had no shot in his last two, lands the rail to trip out for Yannick Gingras.
Red Right Hand
Leonidas A
CLARA BARTON PACE
MAX CONTRACT – Betsy Ross winner got torched in the Dorothy Haughton, had no chance in the Perfect Sting, has a chance to take charge.
Drama Act
Sweet Treasure
SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT
ITS ACADEMIC – Fresh off a decisive score in the Crawford Farms, consistent six-year-old sparks a solid 1-2 punch for Team Burke
Hillexotic
Rattle My Cage
Ken Weingartner - Hall of Fame - USTA Media Relations Manager
BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL
NATAMERI – Looks sharp and beat world champion Ruthless Hanover two starts ago with Miller.
Workin Ona Mystery
Moonshine Kisses
CLARA BARTON PACE
MAX CONTRACT – Looks to return to winning ways after tough post, tough trip in last two.
Mikala
Drama Act
SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT
HILLEXOTIC – Set a world record on a five-eighths to win the Maxie Lee, gets the job done here.
Its Academic
Balenciaga
Brett Sturman - Harness Racing Update Columnist
BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL
MOONSHINE KISSES - Razor sharp, posted a 1:48.1 mile when last seen here in June.
Right Hand Red
Natameri
CLARA BARTON PACE
MIKALA - Wildly overlooked in the Dorothy Haughton, capable of early speed with Brennan.
Max Contract
Drama Act
SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT
ASTEROID - Latest Svanstedt import had a useful NA debut in the Crawford.
Rattle My Cage
Its Academic
Derick Giwner - DRF Harness Editor
BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL
LEONIDAS A - Has been facing tougher at Yonkers; classy.
Natameri
Moonshine Kisses
CLARA BARTON PACE
MAX CONTRACT - Was hampered by a tough trip last week.
Mikala
Drama Act
SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT
HILLEXOTIC - Has the pure speed to take charge.
Rattle My Cage
Its Academic
Garnet Barnsdale - DRF Harness and Ontario Racing Handicapper
BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL
WORKIN ONA MYSTERY - Uses the rail to get a good trip today.
Red Right Hand
Moonshine Kisses
CLARA BARTON PACE
MAX CONTRACT - Will get a better trip today and prevail.
Mikala
Drama Act
SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT
ITS ACADEMIC - He’s on a roll and can overcome post nine.
Hillexotic
Delayed Hanover
Lenny Calderone - Plainridge Park Track Announcer
BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL
MOONSHINE KISSES – Has been super impressive in winning all three Plainridge starts; edge in highly competitive affair.
Workin Ona Mystery
Natameri
CLARA BARTON PACE
MAX CONTRACT – She is 10 for 18 lifetime and has the firepower to come away on top in a small but compact field.
Mikala
Sweet Treasure
SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT
ITS ACADEMIC – Millionaire trotter is in raging form and gets top vote despite outside post.
Hillexotic
Rattle My Cage
Tim Bojarski - Plainridge Park Racing Media Relations
BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL
MOONSHINE KISSES - Multiple Plainridge track record holder has definite home field advantage.
Workin Ona Mystery
Natameri
CLARA BARTON PACE
MIKALA - The mare is the best she’s ever been and comes in with momentum.
Drama Act
Max Contract
SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT
ITS ACADEMIC - Will catch stablemate Hillexotic late to avenge last year’s second place finish.
Hillexotic
Asteroid
(Plainridge Park)