Plainville, MA — Lexus Kody, the 2025 Dan Patch Trotter of the Year, won the $300,000 G2 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot at Plainridge Park on Sunday (July 19) after an early move put him in control of the race and into the record books as the fastest gelding trotter ever over a five-eighths-mile track in the world.
Tim Tetrick settled Lexus Kody in third off the gate, as Aetos Kronos S (Dexter Dunn) and Antognoni S (Yannick Gingras) took turns on the front in a :27 quarter. But as soon as Antognoni S crossed over to the pegs, Tetrick pulled Lexus Kody and was on top before passing the half in :54.1.
As the race moved up the backstretch, Aetos Kronos S moved first-over from third and brought last year’s Spirit winner Up Your Deo (Ake Svanstedt) on his back. The top four bunched as they passed three-quarters and all were poised for attack. When the race turned for home, Lexus Kody was still in control as Antognoni S moved up the pylons, and Up Your Deo was flying on the outside. But Lexus Kody was the best of the bunch and won by one-half length in 1:49.4.
The time of 1:49.4 equaled Lexus Kody’s seasonal mark and also broke the track record for aged trotting geldings (1:50.3), set by Lexus Kody in 2023. The time was also only one-fifth of a second shy of the all-time track trotting record set by Manchego (1:49.3) in the 2020 edition of the Spirit, and only the second time the Spirit of Massachusetts Trot registered a sub-1:50 winner.
It was the third straight win and 40th overall career victory for Lexus Kody ($9.20), who has now earned $2,168,433 lifetime for owners Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi and Phillip Collura. Lexus Kody is trained by Ron Burke.
This was the third Spirit of Massachusetts Trot victory for Burke, who won it in 2023 and 2024 with It’s Academic.
Twin B Joe Fresh exceeds $3 million lifetime after $150,000 G3 Clara Barton Distaff Pace win in 1:48.1
In an exciting race that featured a thrilling finish, Twin Joe B Fresh won her third race of the year and eclipsed the $3 million mark in lifetime earnings.
Dunn got away third early with Twin B Joe Fresh as Unreasonable (Todd McCarthy) took the field to the quarter in :26.1. But Dunn had his mare out and rolling in front of the stands and had full control passing the half in :53.3. As the race moved past five-eighths, Rodeo Drive Deo (Gingras) pulled from third and took a quick shot at Twin B Joe Fresh, who was ready for the brush.
The mares paced within a length of each other to three-quarters where Twin B Joe Fresh turned back the challenge. But Unreasonable was still in hot pursuit and tipped-out as they approached the stretch. Unreasonable was a pocket-rocket and blasted quickly towards Twin B Joe Fresh. Unreasonable continued to gain ground as Twin B Joe Fresh fought hard to protect her lead which she did, winning in the shadow of the wire by a head in a new seasonal mark of 1:48.1.
Twin B Joe Fresh ($2.60) has now earned $3,065,745 during her stellar career for owners Chris Ryder, Dunn, Peter Trebotica and Barry Spak. Chris Ryder trains Twin B Joe Fresh.
For Once Inmy Life stays undefeated at Plainridge after Beckwith Memorial win
Earlier in the $75,000 Bert Beckwith Memorial pace, the heavily-favored For Once Inmy Life extended his undefeated season at Plainridge Park after winning his sixth race of the year at The Ridge in a strong showing.
Jackson Cooper (Brett Beckwith) took a quick lead but For Once Inmy Life (Bruce Ranger) challenged Jackson Cooper passing the :26 flat quarter and went to the top. Once there, the six-year-old gelding reached the half in :54.1 where Soho Spectre A (Tetrick) made a first-over play and pushed a quick :27.1 third panel pace.
Heading into the far turn, For Once Inmy Life turned back the challenge of Soho Spectre A, but another one came immediately. Beckwith pulled Jackson Cooper from the pocket and took dead aim at the leader. Jackson Cooper made up some ground, but For Once Inmy Life was well in hand and paced away to win by 1-3/4-lengths in 1:49.
For Once Inmy Life ($2.60) went over $600,000 lifetime with the win, now boasting $622,891 for owners Winter Racing. Cory Stratton trains the winner.
Racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday (July 20) at 4 p.m.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Plainridge Park can always be downloaded at their website (plainridgeparkcasino.com) under the “Racing” tab. You can also watch all the race replays on that same page.