from Plainridge Park
Plainville, MA — In January 1896 the New York Times observed that “Boston is more truly the hub of the sulky than of the universe.” Throughout the previous century Greater Boston had been at the forefront of trotting. In 1818 Boston Blue had ventured from Massachusetts to Gotham and become the sport’s first three minute trotter. A national sporting publication noted that Boston “trotting men are gentlemen,” as opposed to the “roguery” of New York and Philly.
At least two of the local trotting tracks were well known to the nation. Medford’s Mystic Park was the venue where Goldsmith Maid established a world record in 1874, an event which was front page news in New York and Philadelphia. Beacon Park, located in Allston, had opened a few years earlier. In 1882 it hosted a feature trot for the unheard of purse of $10,000. A handbill for the event claimed that “Nine of the fastest and most celebrated trotting horses in the world will contend.” The race was won by Smuggler, owned by H.S. Russell of nearby Milton.
Boston was also the home of J. Malcolm Forbes, among the most prominent horse owners in the nation. Forbes sent shock waves through the industry when he paid a six figure price to purchase Arion. More importantly, he owned such notable trotters as Peter The Great and Nancy Hanks. The latter was the first to trot a mile in under 2:05, and she accomplished the feat using a sulky with pneumatic tires. That type of tire, which revolutionized the sport, was developed in Worcester, and was first used in Sudbury. Today, Forbes’ former training center in Canton has been preserved and is better known as the Prowse Farm.
The Times was not just looking back at Massachusetts’ accomplishments in 1896, the paper was also looking ahead. A new, state of the art harness racing venue was to open later that year in the Readville section of Boston. The Readville Trotting Park would, for the first time, bring the Grand Circuit to Massachusetts. During the second meeting ever held at Readville the pacer Star Pointer became harness racing’s first sub-2:00 performer. Crowds swelled there during the Grand Circuit meetings, with attendance averaging 6,000 per day in a facility with a 5,000 seat grandstand. To put that in context, during those years the Red Sox averaged 5,300 fans per game in a 9,000 seat venue. In 1903, Boston was literally the hub of the trotting universe, when Lou Dillon became the sort’s first 2:00 trotter. The event was front page news, not just in Boston and Worcester, but in more than two dozen newspapers throughout the nation.
Ten years ago, Mayor Tom Menino, along with members of the Boston City Council, and representatives of the New England harness racing industry, gathered to unveil a plaque commemorating the feats accomplished at the Readville Trotting Park. A few years later, the Massachusetts legislature acted to preserve harness racing in the state. Just as the New York Times did more than a century ago, the industry takes a look back and remembers its rich heritage. At the same time, today also represents a promising future. Nine of the fastest and most celebrated trotting horses in the world will contend in the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot.
A world record is an open question but not out of the question. However, rain or shine the spirit of Goldsmith Maid and Smuggler, of J. Malcolm Forbes and H.S. Russell, will be present. And once again, at least for a few minutes early Friday evening, Massachusetts will be the hub of the trotting universe.
- Field drawn for $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot (Monday, July 24, 2017)
An all-star cast of the best aged trotters in North America declared for the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot on Monday morning (July 24) and when the draw was completed a stellar field of nine, which includes four millionaires, has been set for the biggest harness race in the history of Massachusetts; the Spirit of Massachusetts Trot that will be held on Friday (July 28).
- Burke will start two millionaires in Spirit of Massachusetts Trot (Tuesday, July 25, 2017)
Perennial Grand Circuit dash and money leading trainer Ron Burke and his “Burke Brigade” will be well represented in the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot at Plainridge Park on Friday (July 28) as he will start both Hannelore Hanover and Crazy Wow in the state’s biggest harness race ever.
- It’s a homecoming for Kelley and Obrigado in the Spirit of Massachusetts Trot (Wednesday, July 26, 2017)
They’re a wicked-awesome pair; uniquely New England. That’s the only way you can describe Maine-bred Obrigado and Massachusetts raised Paul Kelley and they will both be at Plainridge Park on Friday (July 28) competing in the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot.
- Trio of tracks to host Grand Circuit action this week (Wednesday, July 26, 2017)
Grand Circuit action kicks off this Friday (July 28) at Plainridge Park with the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot for older trotters.
- National handicapping experts make selections for the Spirit of Massachusetts Trot (Thursday, July 27, 2017)
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).
- Plainridge Park trot mark could fall twice (Friday, July 28, 2017)
All eyes will be focused on the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot at Plainridge Park Friday (July 28) as the best trotters in North America will compete in the newest stake on the Grand Circuit schedule.
- JL Cruze upsets Spirit of Massachusetts Trot (Friday, July 28, 2017)
After watching an epic front-end battle between Crazy Wow and Resolve from fourth most of the mile, driver Andrew McCarthy found room up the pylons late for 60-1 JL Cruze and pulled a major upset by winning the inaugural running of the $250,000 Spirit Of Massachusetts Trot that was held at Plainridge Park on Friday (July 28).