Plainridge Park: Manchego expected to supplement to Spirit of Massachusetts

The Grand Circuit returns to Plainridge Park on Sunday (July 25) when the track will host the fourth edition of the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot. The race that has produced the greatest trotting performances ever witnessed in the Commonwealth will once again be complemented by the $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace. And for the first time in several years, the Bert Beckwith Memorial Pace will return and go postward with a purse of $50,000.

The Spirit of Massachusetts Trot became an instant classic in 2017 when 60-1 JL Cruze upset the heavily favored Hannelore Hanover by a length in 1:51 2/5. It was a new all-time track trotting record set in front of a full house of excited fans. Last year Manchego came to town and left everyone in her wake as she sped to victory in an eye-popping 1:49 3/5 mile. That time not only rewrote the track record book, it also set a new World Record for aged trotting mares over a 5/8th's mile track.

The 2021 field of eligibles is another strong group led by the 2019 Hambletonian winner Forbidden Trade, $2 million winner Crystal Fashion and millionaires Amigo Volo, When Dovescry, Lindy The Great and Guardian Angel AS, who won the 2019 Spirit.

While not eligible, DRF Harness has learned that Manchego will be supplemented to the event for $20,000. Trainer Nancy Takter said the mare, who just won at The Meadowlands in 1:49 4/5 on July 17, needed a race leading up to John Cashman Memorial on Hambletonian Day at The Meadowlands.

Since its inception in 2019, the Clara Barton has been owned by the great Shartin N. In her first stake win at Plainridge in 1:49 1/5 she set a new all-time track pacing record. But she was far from done and for her encore in 2020, Shartin N blistered a 1:48 2/5 mile, cracking her own mark.

This year's Clara Barton has 21 eligibles that includes JK First Lady, who just set a world record of 1:47 4/5 for 4-year-old pacing mares in the $178,500 Dorothy Haughton Memorial at the Meadowlands on Saturday (July 18). Also eligible is Lyon's Sentinel, who held that record for two weeks after winning The Artiscape in 1:48 flat at the Meadowlands on Saturday (July 3). If both of these fleet mares declare, Shartin N's track records could be in jeopardy.

The Bert Beckwith Memorial originated at Foxboro Park in honor of the legendary New England horseman. When Foxboro closed, Plainridge held the race for several years and is proud to bring it back in 2021. In the past it was an Invitational pace and many great aged pacers have won it, including Hall of Famer Foiled Again. This year's edition will be presented as an Open to any horse who has raced in Massachusetts at least six times this year and will feature the top pacers who compete regularly at The Ridge.

Other races on the card include a $25,000 mares Open pace, a $25,000 pace for 3-year-olds colts and geldings who are Massachusetts Sire Stake eligible and a $25,000 Open pace. The three marquee races combined with the rest of the card will see the day's participants competing for over $500,000 in total purses.

Other events of note on the program include a race to benefit the Standardbred Transition Alliance and competition from the New England Amateur Drivers Club. And many of the day's races will be named in honor of some great New England horsemen who were longtime participants in Massachusetts harness racing.

All races for Spirit day will be drawn on Tuesday (July 20) with the box closing at 9 a.m.

Also, Plainridge horsemen who are racing during Spirit week (Thursday July 22 to Monday July 26) will see an increase in purses for races for those days.

-edited release (Tim Bojarski for Plainridge Park)