by Tim Bojarski, for Plainridge Park

Plainville, MA — Ten prominent national harness racing analysts and handicappers have weighed in on who they believe will win the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts trot to be held at Plainridge Park on Friday (July 28).

Post time for the first race Friday is 4 p.m. Post time for the Spirit of Massachusetts Trot is estimated at 6:40 p.m.

Please note that coverage and live streaming of the Spirit of Massachusetts Trot will be available Friday at DRF Harness (www.drf.com/harness) and at the Plainridge Park website (www.plainridgeparkcasino.com).

Bob “Hollywood” Heyden, Hall of Fame Meadowlands statistician and handicapper

1-Hannelore Hanover was my vote for 2016 Trotter of the Year and is a touch better than last year and that is saying a ton. Remember, Moni Maker in 1998 was a 5-year-old and would win the first of two straight Horse of the Year titles, which has not been done since. This mare is very reminiscent of her and I think the boys will be in for a long afternoon.

8-Obrigado has the speed to negate the bad draw and is the most unheralded of the division winners of 2016 who raced at the Meadowlands on Pace night. The second richest gelding in the sport last year (behind Wiggle It Jiggleit), he’s getting his sea legs and is the one to fear up front.

2-Crazy Wow joined the Burke Brigade after a strong 2-year-old season with Dan O’Mara which included a New York Sire Stakes final win. He’s the rare 3-year-old trotter to bank a million without being Hambo eligible. He is a major threat.

Ken Warkentin, Track Announcer at the Meadowlands

1-Hannelore Hanover is the current Queen of Trotting and has beaten the boys with regularity. She is fresh off a short-lived track record at the Big M and heads a formidable Burke duo from the rail.

2-Crazy Wow is the model of consistency this season. This versatile Burke trainee nailed Resolve in the Cleveland Classic, then freshened by equaling his mark of 1:51.1. He draws inside to stalk his stablemate.

6-Resolve was the decisive winner of the Cutler and just missed to Crazy Wow in the Cleveland Classic. This classy 6-year-old draws a demanding post off a tough trip from post eight at Yonkers.

James Witherite, Harrah’s Philadelphia Handicapper

6–Resolve may have been defeated in four of his six races this year, but it’s worth noting that two of those losses were to Bold Eagle and Timoko. In his narrow defeat to Crazy Wow at Northfield, this 6-year-old endured a first-over trip while Crazy Wow enjoyed a cozy pocket ride throughout. Despite last week’s failed effort from post eight at Yonkers, this one has impressed me most.

8–Obrigado held his ground well under the pressure of Resolve over 10 furlongs at Yonkers last week, only beaten by a neck in the end by a pair of late-emerging challengers. In their previous meeting, Resolve was just better despite a first-over push up the far side at Northfield. Given an abundance of pace in the race, this one has every chance to stay strong from the end with a more insulated journey.

1–Hannelore Hanover has not only lost four of her last 25 races, but she’s also won four straight, including the Armbro Flight at Mohawk and a scintillating 1:50.3 performance in her Miss Versatility preliminary at the Meadowlands nearly a fortnight ago. While she proved she can beat the boys at Hoosier last fall, this is her first such task of her 5-year-old season. That said, despite Crazy Wow’s banner season thus far, I feel the mare is the stronger half of the Burke entry.

Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications/USTA

1-Hannelore Hanover–After trainer Ron Burke said she wasn’t as sharp as last year, Hannelore Hanover went a track-record 1:50.3 with a hand drive to win Miss Versatility division at Meadowlands.

6-Resolve–Got stuck leading the outside flow for nearly the entirety of 1-1/4 mile event last time out at Yonkers and should be a prime contender here.

5-Cufflink Hanover–Trying for some value here with a horse that was buried on the pylons in the stretch before fanning four wide and charging home to finish second to Marion Marauder in Hambletonian Maturity.

Michael Carter, Co-Host of Post Time with Mike and Mike

1-Hannelore Hanover-Has been the dominate mare trotter and is back to take on the boys who she last defeated in the Centaur Trotting Classic at Hoosier Park. Her effort at The Meadowlands in the Miss Versatility was a dominant one and I expect a fantastic trip from the rail for her.

8-Obrigado-He has done some fantastic things for trainer Paul Kelley in his career and I expect that to continue. He draws a little tough towards the outside, but tends to grind away at the early pace and has been known to show a good amount of early speed from the outside. Expect him to be a part of the action.

2-Crazy Wow-Won his last pari-mutuel start at Northfield Park in the Cleveland Trotting Classic in world record time. He draws well this week just to the outside of Hannelore Hanover. He can be a horse that can trip out and wait for the right moment to strike and that kind of trip could bode well for him here.

Garnet Barnsdale, Woodbine/Mohawk Public Handicapper for DRF Harness

1-Hannelore Hanover has never been better, coming off a lifetime-best score to extend her winning streak to four. And while she faces all males here, Gingras will use the inside post to his advantage. She gets the nod.

6-Resolve is classy and consistent and he was victimized by a brutal trip last time at Yonkers. He should bounce back here.

2-Crazy Wow is having a sensational season so far and he is another strong contender that you must consider in this excellent field of older trotters.

Gabe Prewitt, Meadowlands/Red Mile TV Department

1-Hannelore Hanover would have been tough to tackle from any post, but the inside advantage is key. The lone mare is the one to beat!

Lenny Calderone, Track Announcer at Plainridge Park

1-Hannelore Hanover has 30 wins in 46 career starts and $1.5 million in lifetime purse earnings and this trotting diva has done just about everything asked of her. Fresh off a dominating performance in a personal best 1:50.3 at The Meadowlands, Hannelore Hanover draws the rail and should be able to control her own destiny and beat the boys in the Spirit of Massachusetts Trot.

2-Crazy Wow turned in a giant winning qualifier six days ago at The Meadowlands following three week rest period and figures to be in the thick of it all from post two.

6-Resolve is as classy as they come. This 6-year-old son of Muscle Hill will depart from post six and may opt to come from off the pace and outkick rivals in the late going.

Dave Brower, Meadowlands Race Analyst and Handicapper

1-Hannelore Hanover is the clear class of this bunch after her almost invincible looking efforts so far this year. From the rail, she’ll have to push off strongly and allow only one horse by, if need be.

2-Crazy Wow is coming off a sensational qualifier which clearly shows he’s back to top form. Given the right journey, he might even have a chance of upsetting the big mare!

3-J L Cruze hasn’t had the best of seasons yet, but he plots for a good journey in here no matter what happens. He races just as well on the smaller tracks as the bigger ones and he can grind all day. He’s hard to leave out.

Gordon Waterstone, Hall of Fame Associate Editor of the Horseman and Fair World

6-Resolve-There will be a bunch busting out of there but when it settles down I look for Resolve to be the one in the best position and get the victory.

1-Hannelore Hanover-I have a hunch that Gingras will get away fourth or fifth but then will be able to put his mare in second-over position and get a nice trip.

8-Obrigado-His gate speed will force the issue early and if MacDonald can work out the journey, he could be tough here.