Spirit of Massachusetts headlines Grand Circuit return to Plainridge
At 0h41, on July 16, 2025 • By Tim Bojarski, Plainridge Park
The Grand Circuit will make another stop in Massachusetts on Sunday (July 20) when Plainridge Park will host the eighth edition of the Grade 2 $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot along with the Grade 3 $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace.
Also featured on the card will be the $75,000 Bert Beckwith Invitational Pace, the $50,000 John Hogan Memorial Pace, the new $25,000 Remembrance Pace and a number of other races on the program. In total there will be $600,000 in purse money up for grabs.
The Spirit of Massachusetts Trot has 31 eligibles this year and the Clara Barton Pace has 20 mares who may enter, and some of the biggest names currently racing are expected to be in the box when it opens for the draw on Wednesday (July 16) morning at 9 a.m.
A number of things will be going on at the track Sunday in conjunction with this big day of racing.
There will be a luncheon by invitation for owners, trainers and connections of horses racing that day, who will be treated to a fine array of food in the Boylston Room, upstairs in the grandstand. Appetizers begin at 1 p.m. followed by lunch at 2 p.m.
Todd Angilly (the Boston Bruins National Anthem singer) will be back, making a special appearance to kick off the festivities by singing our national anthem before the first race. Angilly will also be performing at other times during the day.
Other live music will be provided by the Berkshire Valley Boys, who will be performing throughout the day between races.
There will also be Spirit of Massachusetts hats and sunglasses given away during the afternoon.
The food truck will be available near The Patio and the bar will be open in the grandstand all afternoon.
Gates will open at 1 p.m. and post time for the first race is at 2 p.m.
