Experts and media weigh in on Spirit card

Plainville, MA — The $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot that will be held at Plainridge Park on Sunday (July 25) headlines the biggest day of harness racing in Massachusetts. Along with the $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff pace and the $50,900 Bert Beckwith Memorial Pace that are also featured on the card, over $500,000 in purses will be distributed on that day.

Some of the best handicappers in the sport have analyzed the big three races on Sunday and shared their picks and opinions of their top choices below.

Gordon Waterstone

USTA Editorial Specialist and member of the Harness Racing Communicator Hall of Fame

Spirit Of Massachusetts

5-Manchego. A neck shy of being five-for-five this year, she is not only currently the queen of racing but also the king, and arguably the halftime favorite to be voted Horse of the Year.

1-Forbidden Trade

4-Lindy The Great

Clara Barton

3-Lyons Sentinel. Only two wins but she’s raced sensational all year, had no chance last time out from post 10 in the Dorothy Haughton. In perfect spot with post 3 here.

2-JK First Lady

4-Rocknificent

Beckwith Memorial

5-Rock Diamonds N. In a race that appears will have plenty of horses gunning for the early lead and fast early fractions, he’s in a great spot from post five to be able to get a covered trip and rally late for the victory.

2-Artful Way

7-Sports Obsession

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Ken Weingartner

USTA Media Relations Manager and member of the Harness Racing Communicator Hall of Fame

Spirit Of Massachusetts

1-Manchego. A world-record-setter here last year, her 1:49.4 win last week extended her record for career victories in 1:50 or faster to six.

2-Forbidden Trade

3-Lindy The Great

Clara Barton

1-Lyons Sentinel. Got an outside trip from post 10 last week and still was charging at the end.

2-JK First Lady

3-Rocknificent

Beckwith Memorial

1-Artful Way. Handy veteran could find good position early and capitalize.

2-Rock Diamonds N

3-Force N Fury

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Ken Warkentin

Track announcer at Meadowlands Racetrack

Spirit Of Massachusetts
5-Manchego. Defending champ returns to the scene of her world record of 1:49.3, fresh off a track record of 1:49.4 at the Big M.
1-Forbidden Trade
4-Lindy The Great

Clara Barton
3-Lyons Sentinel. Dominant world record of 1:48 in the Artiscape and no chance from post 10 in the Dorothy Haughton.
2-JK First Lady
4-Rocknificent

Beckwith Memorial
5-Rock Diamonds N. Stung early and used hard in a fast pace. Two decisive off-the-pace romps before that and can out-kick these.
1-Force N Fury
2-Artful Way

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Derick Giwner

Editor of DRF Harness

Spirit Of Massachusetts

1-Forbidden Trade. Should control the race and could steal it from the favorite.

5-Manchego

6-Eurobond

Clara Barton

3-Lyons Sentinel. Goes from worst post to the perfect spot.

4-Rocknificent

2-JK First Lady

 Beckwith Memorial

1-Force N Fury. Was a nice $31K Winter Mixed Sale buy; can pay off even more.

4-Cigars And Port

2-Artful Way

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Dave Brower

Track Handicapper at the Meadowlands Racetrack

Spirit Of Massachusetts

5-Manchego. Set a world record in this event and returns to defend her title. This is a nice bunch, but she should dominate again, from any spot or trip on the track. Go against at your own risk.

1-Forbidden Trade

4-Lindy The Great

Clara Barton

3-Lyons Sentinel had absolutely no chance in the D Haughton when she drew post 10. But she finished up incredibly well, telling me she is still super sharp! This race will go completely different and she should dominate.

4-Rocknificent

2-JK First Lady

Beckwith Memorial

8-Mansome. Is razor sharp right now, and that steamroll winning effort from last week has me convinced he can overcome this post, in a race that should have some serious early action to it. Take the price!

4-Cigars And Port

1-Force N Fury

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Bob “Hollywood” Heyden

Stats Maven and member of the Harness Racing Communicator Hall of Fame

Spirit Of Massachusetts

5-Manchego. Took her 5-year-old best right here and is 37/61 lifetime.

1-Forbidden Trade

2-Crystal Fashion

Clara Barton

3-Lyons Sentinel. Was “out of this world good” last out WITHOUT hitting the board. The heir apparent to Shartin N has no problem from a better spot today.

2-J K First Lady

1-Soho Burning Love A

Beckwith Memorial

1-Force N Fury. Has four Breeders Crowns among her parentage and will repeat off a season’s best.

2-Artful Way

3-Major Leaguer

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Garnet Barnsdale

DRF Harness Handicapper

Spirit Of Massachusetts

5-Manchego. Trotted an incredible sub-1:50 mile to win this race last year and this year’s renewal looks like easy pickings for her, but she will be a very short price.

1-Forbidden Trade

4-Lindy The Great

Clara Barton

3-Lyons Sentinel. Had an impossible trip in the Haughton yet she was still flying late. From a much better post here, she will be tough to beat.

2-JK First Lady

1-Soho Burning Love

Beckwith Memorial

1-Force N Fury. Comes off a sharp win here and he gets the double advantage of drawing the rail and getting Tetrick in the bike; top call.

9-Stihl N

5-Rock Diamonds N

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Tim Bojarski

Racing Media Relations for Plainridge Park

Spirit Of Massachusetts

5-Manchego. This is a generational trotting mare that continues to perform at the top of her game.

3-Mississippi Storm

4-Lindy The Great

Clara Barton

3-Lyons Sentinel. Set a world record earlier this year and finished close in a second last week after dealing with a rough trip.

2-JK First Lady

4-Peaky Sneaky

Beckwith Memorial

2-Artful Way. Early position combined with his late kick make him a major threat in here.

5-Rock Diamonds N

7-Mansome

by Tim Bojarski, for Plainridge Park