Plainville, MA — The $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot will be held at Plainridge Park on Sunday (July 21) during the biggest 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 over $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