PHOTOS: New world record and major upset highlight PPC’s 2025 Spirit of Massachusetts Day
- August 07, 2025
- by Connor Donahue
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Another successful Spirit of Massachusetts concluded at Plainridge Park Casino on Sunday, July 20. The event featured beautiful weather, a world record performance, and a thrilling upset.
Up Your Deo delivered a stunning 19-1 upset victory in the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot, winning by a neck in 1:51 to tie his lifetime mark. The victory under driver Ake Svanstedt pushed the horse’s lifetime earnings to $999,192, and also marked Svanstedt’s second Spirit of Massachusetts Trot victory following his 2021 win with Alrajah One IT.
>>MORE: Horse Racing in Massachusetts
Sylvia Hanover made history in the $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace, setting a new world record for pacing mares on five-eighths mile tracks with a 1:47.2 performance. The win marked the mare’s second consecutive Clara Barton victory.
Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chair Jordan Maynard and Commissioner Brad Hill presented trophies to both race winners and toured Plainridge Park Casino’s recently renovated paddock facilities following the races.
>>Related: Inside the MGC’s Division of Racing
Photos from the entire day can be found below: