It’s Academic airs-out Spirit of Massachusetts Trot victory
At 10h43, on July 24, 2023 • By PLAINRIDGE
After being parked out the entire mile, It’s Academic ran down his competition late to win the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot at Plainridge Park on Sunday afternoon (July 23).
Balenciaga (Mark MacDonald) shot right to the front and led to the quarter in :27.1. But Rattle My Cage (Ake Svanstedt) was moving on the outside and crossed over to the lead as the race passed the stands. With a new leader in place, Asteroid (Dexter Dunn) and It’s Academic (David Miller), who had been trotting on the outside since the start, were working their way to the front.
At three-quarters, Asteroid took the lead from Rattle My Cage, leaving It’s Academic still in the breeze. Asteroid and It’s Academic trotted together around the far turn and into the stretch, where the pocket-sitting Rattle My Cage joined the fray heading for home.
From the pylons out, Rattle My Cage, Asteroid and It’s Academic were in a tight pack and the race was anyone’s to win. But It’s Academic continued to grind and got the lead just before the line to win by a neck in 1:51.4.
The millionaire It’s Academic ($4.80), who finished second in the 2022 Spirit Trot, now adds this stake to his impressive list of victories and pushed his career earnings to $1,642,656 as a result for owner Bradley Grant. Ron Burke trains It’s Academic.
It was the first Spirit of Massachusetts Trot win for both Miller and Burke.
