With the Boston Red Sox starting their regular season recently and both the Boston Bruins and Celtics preparing for their respective postseasons, Bay State residents who have been busy using Massachusetts sports betting apps might have forgotten another sport was starting up.
The 24th season of Plainridge Park harness racing kicks off Monday afternoon with a nine-race card starting at 4 p.m. ET.
The meet at the only live horse/harness racing track in the Commonwealth will run through Thursday, Nov. 30 with 108 days of racing scheduled. Races will run Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, with the lone exception being Sunday, July 23, for the annual Spirit of Massachusetts Trot and Clara Barton Pace with first post time set for 2 p.m.
It's yet another option across Massachusetts sports betting in the year of 2023.
Happy Opening Day
Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chair Cathy Judd-Stein in a release said Opening Day is a "special occasion and a great opportunity for us to welcome back MGC’s seasonal staff of racing employees and show appreciation for the MGC and PPC employees who make racing operations run so smoothly.”
The five-eighth mile oval track provides seasonal employment for 20 MGC staff who are charged with ensuring the integrity and safety of racing operations at PPC. Division of Racing employees are tasked with all aspects of race day regulation, including licensing, judging and managing the barn where blood samples from the horses are taken.
“We are delighted to see the horses back in action today at Plainridge,” said MGC Director of Racing Dr. Alex Lightbown. “Through the purses they earn, a variety of jobs in the Commonwealth are supported."
This racing season offers the richest slate of stake races not only in the history of the track, but also in the state, as an estimated $3.27 million will be up for grabs this year.
Plainridge Park also has simulcast wagering for racetracks across the country and its casino launched retail sports betting with Barstool Sportsbook Massachusetts on Jan. 31, becoming one of three casinos to do so. The others: Encore Boston Harbor in Everett (WynnBET) and MGM Springfield (BetMGM).
BetMassachusetts.com — your source for Massachusetts sportsbook promos — will keep you updated on key news on sports gambling in the state.
