Plainville, MA — Rick Flanders was the starting judge at Plainridge Park for many years and an esteemed member of the New England harness racing community for decades. Mr. Flanders passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 3 and to honor him, a memorial race will be held at Plainridge on Friday afternoon (Nov. 24).

Rick Flanders was the starting judge at Plainridge Park for many years. Provided photo.

After the race, a special presentation will be made in the winner’s circle to the Flanders family from representatives of Plainridge Park, the Harness Horsemen’s Association of New England, the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts, the Western New England Harness Horsemen’s Association, the New England Amateur Harness Driver’s Club along with owners, trainers and drivers competing at Plainridge Park. There will also be a blanket presentation for the winning horse courtesy of the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts.

Mr. Flanders grew up in Hampton Falls, N.H. and from the young age of 11, his love for horses and harness racing began. By his 16th birthday he acquired his harness racing driver’s license and the rest was history. As an adult you could find him at the track seven days a week training and driving his horses. He also was a talented blacksmith and lived in numerous places all over the United States, moving wherever the races took him. During his career he won 536 races driving and also saw 175 horses that he trained win as well.

In 2009 Mr. Flanders retired from actively competing and decided to get his license to become a starting judge. He ended up working at Scarborough Downs and then at Plainridge Park, where he started races right up to his passing.

Everyone associated with harness racing at Plainridge Park and across New England has lost a good friend and lifelong fellow horseman and this gesture is evidence of how highly esteemed Mr. Flanders was among his peers.