Harness Racing Season Kicks Off At The Plainridge Park Casino

The harness racing season at Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville has commenced on Monday, April 11, with Pacers and trotters ready and in motion.

Live racing is available on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays until September, after which the schedule will be adjusted for the fall season. The races commence at 4 p.m.

Plainridge Park Casino, which is one of the three casinos in Massachusetts, boasts a staggering collection of over 1,200 slot machines and a comprehensive selection of table games. Additionally, it stands as the sole active horse racing track in the entire state of Massachusetts.

Plainridge is situated off I–495, approximately an hour’s drive south of Boston and 30 minutes north of Providence. For those familiar with Gillette Stadium (the New England Patriots’ home), it is merely a short 10-minute ride away.

What is harness racing?

Harness racing is distinguished from thoroughbred racing due to its unique characteristics. In harness racing, horses are paired based on their specific gait, which can be either “pacing” or “trotting.”

Pacers and trotters have distinct leg movements. Trotters synchronize their legs in diagonal pairs, with the right front leg and left hind leg moving together. On the other hand, pacers move their legs simultaneously, first the right side followed by the left. Harness races, typically spanning a mile, are predominantly comprised of pacing races. This preference stems from the fact that pacing horses possess greater speed compared to their trotting counterparts.

Nevertheless, it is highly probable that you will encounter individuals who unintentionally confuse the two terms while at the casino.

The sulkies or spiders, which hold the drivers, are pulled by horses in harness races. Instead of starting from a stationary gate, these races begin with the horses already in motion. To ensure all horses are synchronized, a motorized vehicle carries the gate until they are ready to begin.

Special events on the card

Two new races for 3-year-old harness racing pacers and trotters have been added to the Grand Circuit schedule, thanks to the collaboration between Plainridge Park and the Harness Association of New England.

On April 28, the highly anticipated Paul Revere Pace, offering a substantial purse of $100,000, is set to take place. Following that, on Monday, May 16, the equally thrilling Bunker Hill Trot will be held, featuring an impressive prize of $100,000 as well.

The Hambletonian, taking place on August 6 at The Meadowlands in New Jersey, serves as a significant precursor to the Kentucky Derby of harness racing.

On Sunday, July 24, another significant day at Plainridge will be taking place. The highlight of the day will be the fifth Spirit of Massachusetts Trot. In the past two years, Manchego has emerged victorious in this race, clocking an impressive time of 1:50 on the mile course in 2021 and setting a new world record of 1:49.3 in 2020 for aged trotting mares.

Alongside the Spirit of Massachusetts Trot, the Clara Barton Distaff Pace is also upcoming. Moreover, Plainridge provides the opportunity for simulcast betting, commencing most days at noon.

If you’re unable to attend Plainridge, you have the option to watch and place bets on harness racing online. Massachusetts permits advanced-deposit wagering via platforms like TVG. These platforms offer live video streams and a wide range of betting choices.