Expert selections for Spirit of Massachusetts Day

Plainville, MA — The $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot will be held at Plainridge Park on Sunday (July 21) during the biggest harness racing 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 more than $600,000 in purses up for grabs. Below are the selections of eight racing media members who made their picks for the three marquee events.

Gordon Waterstone – Harness Racing Hall of Fame – Racing Journalist

BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL PACE

7 Natameri returns to Plainridge where he won nicely last month after a pair of starts from poor posts on a half-mile track.
2 Fourever Boy
6 Heaven On High N

 CLARA BARTON PACE

1 Sylvia Hanover was Canada’s 2023 Horse of the Year, has been knocking on the door and is ready to get the job done in this spot.
5 Always B Naughty
6 Grace Hill

 SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT

6 It’s Academic is the reigning Dan Patch Older Male Trotter of the Year and should be primed and ready in his second start of the year.

7 Delayed Hanover

5 Chapercraz

 Bob “Hollywood” Heyden – Harness Racing Hall of Fame – Broadcaster and Historian

BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL PACE

2 Fourever Boy needs any check for a 7-figure career and has FIVE down-under breds to deal with.

1 Big Skewy N

5 I’m No Outlaw

 CLARA BARTON PACE  

1 Sylvia Hanover was Tetrick’s easy choice. He comes in off a monstrous try and must just stay close to Grace Hill early.

6 Grace Hill

7 Valar Dohaeris

 SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT

2 Logan Park is also on the doorstep of one million and figures to control the race.

6 It’s Academic

7 Helpfirstedition

 Ken Warkentin – Harness Racing Hall of Fame – Meadowlands Track Announcer – Voice of the Hambletonian

BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL PACE

1 Big Skewy N returns to Plainridge where he won in 1:49.2 and plays a stalking role from the rail.
2 Fourever Boy
3 Sumomentsomwhere

 CLARA BARTON PACE

1 Sylvia Hanover is Canada’s defending Horse of the Year, has tangled with the raging Twin B Joe Fresh and stands out on the rail.
5 Always B Naughty
6 Grace Hill

 SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT

6 It’s Academic was the 2023 Spirit winner, Dan Patch Award winner and world champion and is poised for a big effort.
2 Logan Park
5 Chapercraz

 Ken Weingartner – Harness Racing Hall of Fame – USTA Media Relations Manager

BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL PACE

2 Fourever Boy has made himself at home at Plainridge with five wins since arriving in May. He’s the one to beat here.

1 Big Skewy N

7 Natameri

CLARA BARTON PACE

5 Always B Naughty is a consistent mare that gets a prime post and owns a win over Sylvia Hanover earlier this year.

1 Sylvia Hanover

3 Beach Cowgirl

SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT

5 Chapercraz arrives in top form off his Hambo Maturity win and several strong efforts prior.

6 It’s Academic

2 Logan Park

Garnet Barnsdale – DRF Harness and Ontario Racing Handicapper                                                                    

BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL PACE

2 Fourever Boy writes the story himself with Beckwith steering the winner.

5 I’m No Outlaw N

3 Sumomentsomwhere A

CLARA BARTON PACE

1 Sylvia Hanover gets Tetrick and the rail and should be tough here.

6 Grace Hill

4 Talk Curdy To Me

SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT

2 Logan Park is a Canadian monster who will have to be caught.

5 Chapercraz

6 It’s Academic

 Derick Giwner – DRF Harness Editor

BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL PACE

7 Natameri is back on normal rest and can make amends for a second-place finish in 2023.

6 Heaven On High N

2 Fourever Boy

CLARA BARTON PACE

1 Sylvia Hanover gets away from the best horse in the country and should finally pick up a win.

5 Always B Naughty

6 Grace Hill

SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT

6 It’s Academic takes on easier and the defending champion is quite versatile.

5 Chapercraz

2 Logan Park

 Lenny Calderone – Plainridge Park Track Announcer

BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL PACE

2 Fourever Boy is in raging form having won the last three Open events at Plainridge. The 5-year-old drew well and seems likely to have his picture taken once again.

1 Big Skewy N

3 Sumomentsomwhere A

CLARA BARTON PACE

1 Sylvia Hanover has put forth some solid efforts but remains winless in six tries this season.

6 Grace Hill

3 Beach Cowgirl

 SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT

5 Chapercraz got shuffled back to sixth before finding racing room in the late-going to win the $425,000 Hambletonian Maturity.

2 Logan Park

6 It’s Academic

 Tim Bojarski – Harness Racing Hall of Fame – Plainridge Park Racing Media Relations

BERT BECKWITH MEMORIAL PACE

2 Fourever Boy has dominated at this track this year and that trend will continue in this race.

1 Big Skewy N

7 Natameri

CLARA BARTON PACE

1 Sylvia Hanover has been coming up just short but gets it done today. Tetrick has won this race four consecutive times with Shartin N and Lyons Sentinel.

6 Grace Hill

3 Beach Cowgirl

SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS TROT

6 It’s Academic has a tightener under his belt and will win his second straight Spirit of Massachusetts Trot.

4 Take All Comers

2 Logan Park

by Tim Bojarski, for Plainridge Park