Plainridge: Spirit of Massachusetts cancelled amid disagreements with horsemen

There is a fine line between agreement and disagreement when it comes to negotiations. Both the management at Plainridge Park and the Harness Horseman’s Association of New England say they want the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot to continue in 2018 and beyond. Despite that common ground, the race for older trotters, which was introduced just last year, has been cancelled by track management.

In a press release put out by Plainridge Park, Director of Racing Steve O’Toole said the following:

“After a tremendous first running last year we are very disappointed that the HHANE chose not to provide their consent for the 2018 edition,” said O’Toole. “Although the race that put Plainridge Park back on the harness racing map will not be part of our 2018 season, Plainridge Park is committed to a racing program that highlights our local participants as well as high quality events.”

Although not mentioned in the release, the track also dropped the recently announced Clara Barton for older pacing mares, leaving the Plainville, Massachusetts oval without a major stakes event.

In a January 18 letter from HHANE President Robert McHugh to O’Toole, the horsemen outlined that they would approve the Spirit of Massachusetts as well as the Clara Barton assuming the purse money for these events was taken from premium funds that the association believes Penn Gaming (Plainridge parent company) is retiaining from the purse account. They also offered $25,000 to Plainridge to co-market those stakes races.

When reached for comment, Chris McErlean, Vice President of Racing for Penn Gaming, pointed out that the sticking point in the negotiations revolved around the horsemen asking for a one-sided monetary change in the current contract which expires at the end of 2018.

“We were prepared to conduct business with regard to the Spirit of Massachusetts in the same manner as we did last year without any other modifications of our contract,” said McErlean.

Interestingly, both Penn Gaming and the horsemen seem eager to promote racing in New England on the grassroots and stakes level.

“The HHANE is willing to re-engage in discussion at any time to offer these races or any other that would support Plainridge Park, our members, and the industry as a whole,” wrote McHugh in an email press release.

The inaugural Spirit of Massachusetts was a hotly-contested affair won by 60-1 longshot JL Cruze in a track record 1:51 2/5.

The 2018 edition was scheduled for July 26.