by Jack Ginnetti

Marlborough, MA — The 17th edition of Plainridge’s $25,000 Bert Beckwith Memorial is just hours away.

The Wall of Fame induction of Jean Emerson begins Monday’s (Sept. 3) New England classic with festivities which always draw the largest crowd of the season.

The legends races is another popular one with the fans, followed by a full racing program that includes the $20,000 Stan Bergstein Invitational Pace.

The race card gets underway at 1 p.m., following the track’s Wall of Fame program at 12:30 p.m. in the lower grandstand.

Memorial race presentations and the call to post by bugler Ed Nowak in his red colors spur on the crowd who hug the rail for a closer look.

Here’s the field for the Beckwith: 1. Gracie Gracie, John Beckwith; 2. Briefly, Mike Eaton; 3. She Don’t Know, Andrew Harrington; 4. Hurricane Emily, Jim Hardy, 5. Kimmie Cam, Steven Nason; 6. Our New Treasure, Mark Beckwith; 7. My Deal, Ralph Anderson; 8. Fiesta Camcun (TBA).

Drivers competing for prize money in the legends races include the veteran and top career purse earner Jim ‘Duff’ Doherty, Steve O’Toole, Ted Wing, Greg Bowden, Peter Blood, John Hogan, defending champion Willard Beckwith, Bruce Ranger and Paul Battis.

What started in 1994 as a tribute to Bert Beckwith turned into a classic which drew some of the finest horses and drivers of its time. It has made Beckwith Day inspirational for the railbirds and fans alike.