by Jack Ginnetti, president, the New England Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers’ Association

MARLBOROUGH, MA. –Baseball had its own version of ‘Stan the Man’ (Musial), but so does harness racing.

Monday, July 10, Plainridge Racecourse will present two $10,000 elimination races for pacers leading up to the fourth running of the $25,000 Stan Bergstein Pace July 17.

Bergstein, the MVP of harness racing, has held just about every post in the industry in a career which spans seven decades. He’s been a race official, announcer (who can forget Racing from Yonkers), administrator and racing journalist.He currently serves as vice-president of Harness Tracks of America which services 43 member tracks.

Monday and Tuesday’s racing programs at Plainridge are the biggest of the season with more than $100,000 in purses up for grabs in 29 races contested over the two day period which breaks down to four racing cards.

The 14th race on Monday’s card is a $7,000 claiming event which features some of the top Standardbreds on the grounds led by Plainridge favorites Vegas Excalibur and Master of Illusion.

Tuesday’s 15-race program is highlighted by two New England Amateur Drivers Club events, one of which carries a purse of $6,000 and features Bill Abdelnour”s Vandaminator and Joe Wheeler’s Classy Talker.

Post time for both racing cards is 4 p.m.