Plainville, MA – Some of the best harness handicappers in the business give their selections for the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot and $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace that will be held at Plainridge Park on Sunday (July 26).

Gordon Waterstone – Associate Editor – The Horseman And Fair World
Spirit Of Massachusetts Trot
7-Atlanta
4-Manchego
6-Lindy The Great
Even though Manchego gets a post edge in this battle, I believe Atlanta is a whisker better, so she’ll get my nod in the photo finish.

Clara Barton Pace
2-Shartin N
4-Kissin In The Sand
3-Soho Burning Love A
Shartin N missed a start with a tender foot and that was likely the reason behind a narrow loss last time out to a horse that came up the pylons.

Dave Brower – Meadowlands oddsmaker, handicapper and broadcaster
Spirit Of Massachusetts Trot
4-Manchego
2-Eurobond
7-Atlanta
Manchego figures to take her turn in this epic rivalry with Atlanta this year. I think she’s more versatile on the smaller-size track and I just don’t see the Takter-trained duo giving up their post position advantage.

Clara Barton Pace
2-Shartin N
3-Soho Burning Love A
4-Kissin In The Sand
Shartin N is pretty hard to go against, after that needed “tightener” in the Dorothy Haughton at M1. She raced her eyeballs out and came up a little bit short. The inner post makes all the difference.

Derick Giwner – Editor – The Daily Racing Form Harness
Spirit of Massachusetts Trot
4-Manchego
6-Lindy The Great
7-Atlanta
Manchego should take charge and never look back.

Clara Barton Pace
2-Shartin N
4-Kissin In The Sand
3-Soho Burning Love A
Shartin N wasn’t quite herself in the Haughton; makes amends.

Lenny Calderon – Race Announcer – Plainridge Park
Spirit of Massachusetts Trot
4-Manchego
7-Atlanta
5-Lindy The Great
Manchego has been outstanding in all four starts this year with her only loss coming at the hands of arch-rival Atlanta. This aged miss can make no mistakes and should prove best in the drive to wire.

Clara Barton Pace
2-Shartin N
4-Kissin In The Sand
3-Soho Burning Love A
Shartin N is one classy lady who should be up to the task in defending her title.

Ken Warkentin – Race Announcer – Meadowlands Racetrack
Spirit of Massachusetts Trot
4-Manchego
7-Atlanta
2-Eurobond
Two-time Dan Patch Award & Breeders Crown winner & fastest female trotter in history, Manchego tuned up with an easy Miss Versatility leg. She’s tough when in control.

Clara Barton Pace
3-Soho Burning Love A
4-Kissin In The Sand
2-Shartin N
The fresh and hot stablemate of Shartin N has emerged as a deadly closer at The Big M. She won’t be far off to collar the speed.

Bob “Hollywood” Heyden – Freelance Racing Statistical Authority
Spirit of Massachusetts Trot
4-Manchego
7-Atlanta
1-Joey Bats
The best current rivalry continues. Post position may decide many of these as they vie for the biggest pot since the TVG.

Clara Barton Pace
2-Shartin N
3-Soho Burning Love A
4-Kissin In The Sand
Shartin N comes in off a huge effort after missing a start. No pacer has gone back to back HOY since Cam Fella 1982-83.

Ken Weingartner – USTA Media Relations Manager
Spirit of Massachusetts Trot
4-Manchego
7-Atlanta
6-Lindy The Great
Not much separates Manchego and Atlanta, so it might come down to post position and trip.

Clara Barton Pace
2-Shartin N
4-Kissin In The Sand
5-Trillions Hanover
Shartin N just missed in the Dorothy Haughton after a minor foot issue and should return to her winning ways here.

Garnet Barnsdale – Public Handicapper for the Daily Racing Form
Spirit of Massachusetts Trot
7-Atlanta
4-Manchego
6-Lindy The Great
Atlanta will likely offer the better price of the two super mares due to post position.

Clara Barton Pace
2-Shartin N
3-Soho Burning Love A
4-Kissin In The Sand
Shartin N returns in eight days this time and it is very doubtful she will be picked off late again.

Michael Carter – USTA Social Media Publicity Coordinator
Spirit of Massachusetts Trot
6-Altanta
4-Manchego
3-Muscle M Up
Atlanta kicked off her five-year-old campaign with a game second place finish in the Miss Versatility to rival Manchego. She has since won two straight including the Cutler against the boys at The Meadowlands.

Clara Barton Pace
2-Shartin N
4-Kissin In The Sand
3-Soho Burning Love A
Shartin N made her first start after injuring herself at Yonkers on June 30. She was game in defeat in the Dorothy Haughton but don’t hold that loss against her.She is a tough mare who may have just needed a start off the bench.

Tim Bojarski – Publicist and Handicapper at Plainridge Park
Spirit of Massachusetts Trot
4-Manchego
7-Atlanta
6-Lindy The Great
Manchego gets a slight nod over Atlanta for me as she is back in to go in a week where Atlanta has had 15 days off. It’s that close.

Clara Barton Pace
2-Shartin N
4-Kissin In The Sand
3-Soho Burning Love A
This race is all about speed and with only six drawn in, it’s wide open. In that even of a field I will take Shartin N every time.

Consensus: Spirit of Massachusetts Trot-Manchego, Atlanta, Lindy The Great
Clara Barton Pace-Shartin N, Kissin In The Sand, Soho Burning Love A