PHOTOS: 2024 Spirit of Massachusetts Day at PPC draws highest total betting handle
- July 26, 2024
- by MGC Communications
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The Spirit of Massachusetts 2024 at Plainridge Park Casino saw sunshine, a day full of racing, and a record betting handle for the event this past Sunday, July 21, in Plainville, Mass. The total handle came to $334,389, the highest ever for a Spirit of Massachusetts Day. The on-track take of $48,137 was the second highest for a Spirit of Massachusetts Day.
On the track, a pair of familiar competitors came away victorious in the day’s headline races.
>>MORE: Horse Racing in Massachusetts
In the Spirit of Massachusetts Trot, It’s Academic, the U.S. Older Trotter of 2023, defeated Canadian Older Trotter of 2023, Logan Park, and finished just in front of stablemate Chapercraz. The win sealed back-to-back victories at the Spirit of Massachusetts Trot for It’s Academic, who defended his crown from a year ago. He and Manchego are the only two-time and back-to-back race winners at the Spirit of Massachusetts.
At the Clara Barton Pace, Sylvia Hanover, the 2023 Canadian Horse of the Year, earned the win. The victory delivered a fifth Clara Barton Pace win for her driver, Tim Tetrick.
Massachusetts Gaming Commissioner Brad Hill was on hand to present trophies to the winners of both races Sunday. Following the completion of the events, Commissioner Hill visited both the nearby paddock, to greet the MGC test barn crew, as well as the MGC Racing Licensing Office, where he hailed a staff that issued over 60 new licenses for the day.
>>Related: Inside the MGC’s Division of Racing
Photos from the entire day can be found below: