Experts’ selections for $620,000 race day

Plainville, MA — The $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot will be held at Plainridge Park on Sunday (Jul. 23) during the biggest harness racing 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. 

It’s 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

IT’S ACADEMIC – Fresh off a decisive score in the Crawford Farms, consistent 6YO 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.

It’s 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
It’s 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

It’s 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

IT’S 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

IT’S 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

IT’S ACADEMIC – Will catch stablemate Hillexotic late to avenge last year’s second place finish.

Hillexotic

Asteroid

by Tim Bojarski, for Plainridge Park