All are Grand Circuit events nominations handled by the Hambletonian Society.  Filly division of Colonial will be named Colonial Oaks. 

• May 04 – Paul Revere Pace 3 CP

• May 15 Battle of Bunker Hill Trot 3 CT

• July 23  Spirit of Massachusetts Trot – Open Trot  

• July 23 Clara Barton – Mare Pace 

• Oct 09 Reynold Stakes

  • Leta Long 3 FP                       

  • Tar Heel   3 CP   

• Oct 09 Colonial Oaks 3 FT Trot 3 CT 

PLAINRIDGE RACE OFFICE

 

RACE SECRETARY: Paul Verrette: 508.576.4485

Race Office: 508.576.4486

 

CLERK OF COURSE: James Tomaso james.tomaso@pennentertainment.com

Fax: 508.643.9624

 

JUDGES: (all scratches/driver changes are due by 10 a.m. ​on the day following the draw) 

Presiding Judge: Charles Eaton: 508.576.4487 charles.eaton@pennentertainment.com

 

​​You can reach the judges between 7-10 am by calling the number for Charles Eaton (listed above), which may be transferred to 207-458-4846 if not in the office. Horsemen can call the judges or text changes to 207-458-4846 between 7-10 am only. Please don’t call or text outside those hours or at inappropriate times. Absolutely no calls or texts during live racing.  No Exceptions.

 

HORSEMENS BOOKKEEPER

Alfred Scivola 508.576.4476 alfred.scivola@pennentertainment.com

Plainridge uses the TrackMaster Point system to classify horses in some events. 

To see your horses assigned points, click below:

IF YOU’RE RACING AT PLAINRIDGE PLEASE NOTE:

SAFETY VESTS must be worn on the track – no exceptions.

STAY WITH YOUR HORSE! The MGC requires the owner, trainer, or his or her groom or another authorized representative to be present in the testing enclosure when a blood, urine, or other specimen is taken from his or her horse and shall remain until the sample tag is attached to the specimen container. Said tag shall be signed by the owner, trainer, or their representative as witnesses to the taking of the specimen.

Dr. Lightbown indicated there have been numerous instances of a horse being left unattended. Trainers of record will be imposed a fine if their horse is left unattended while in the testing area.

LEAD SHANKS- A lead shank is to be used at all times when walking a horse on the grounds of Plainridge. No exceptions!

TO ENTER THE GROUNDS, YOU NEED:

• Negative Coggins dated in 2023

• Health certificate dated within 30 days with destination Plainridge Park

• EHV-1 in 2023

• Temperature taken on day of race/training prior to entry onto grounds (temperature logs will be handed out to all trainers on the first day of qualifying and racing)

• Racing Application and Waiver forms (available in Race Office and paddock office)

  • Paperwork can be faxed to 508.643.9624

SHIP-IN TRAINING/OVERNIGHT STABLING – Beginning with the week of April 10th and until further notice, Training will be allowed on Tuesdays and Fridays, 7:00 am until Noon. You can train out of the paddock. You must pick up after yourself when done, no wrappers, vet wraps, or manure is to be left in the stall including wash stalls or privileges may be revoked.

Horses will be allowed to stable overnight with permission from either the Presiding Judge or the Paddock Judge.

SADDLE PADS – Saddle Pads are to be removed once off the main track if it can be done safely.  If not, when the pads can be removed safely, they are to be returned to the numbers room as soon as possible.  If pads are not returned, trainers may be subjected to a fine.

Horse-related paperwork is to be emailed or hand-delivered prior to entry to: PLR-RacingDocs@pennentertainment.com

For a full list of trainer and driver rules, please click here:

Race replays can be viewed on the Plainridge Park Casino website, please click below for a link.

All Non-Lasix horses must be on the grounds 3 hours prior to their post time. ALL Lasix horses, including qualifiers, 4 hours prior to their post.

Non-Lasix Qualifiers, 1 1/2 hours prior to their qualify time.  

Lasix horses need to be on the grounds no later than 4 hrs before your post (race) and all horses not on lasix must be on the grounds 3 hrs prior to your post (race).​

Lasix information is to be emailed to: mgclasix@massgaming.gov

Trainer reminder: Even if your horse raced on Lasix last year, a new slip must be on file for the 2023 Racing Season. Please use the email address to list any of your horses racing on Lasix at Plainridge for the 2023 season whether they have been on it before or not. If you are taking one off of Lasix, use the same email address to take them off of Lasix.

Related Information:

• FDA links unapproved compounded animal drugs to horse deaths.

Scroll right on mobile devices for additional columns

If anyone would like to watch the numbers being drawn, they are welcome to come to the test barn office and observe. 

Scroll right on mobile devices for additional columns

Scroll right on mobile devices for additional columns

Scroll right on mobile devices for additional columns

While licensing and general information is available on the MGC site, for your convenience, the following MGC pdfs may be downloaded in the section below.

Beginning 2017 MGC has two sets of licensing forms (new and renewal). 

If you are an owner, driver, trainer, groom, or vendor please select and download the correct form. During the racing season, the MGC office at Plainridge is open 12Noon – last race and 9-5 on non-racing days. Remember to bring ID with you (two forms if fingerprints not yet on file).

 

MAIL IN APPLICATIONS: License applications can be mailed to:

Racing Division, 

MA Gaming Commission

c/o Plainridge Park Casino

301 Washington Street

Plainville, MA 02762

 

MASS GAMING COMMISSION OFFICE

 

HOURS

Pre-Season opening schedule

Monday – Thursday

10 – 4pm

The MGC office Hours at

Plainridge Park will be open

10am-6pm on Racedays

9am-5pm on Tuesdays

Closed Wed and Saturday

 

DIRECTOR OF RACING: Dr. Alex Lightbown 617.9798436 alexandra.lightbown@massgaming.gov

 

Plainridge White Office Building

Bill Eagan 617.533.9803

Boston Office 617.725.0258

Fax: 617.725.0258

www.massgaming.com

 

HHANE OWNERS, DRIVERS, AND TRAINERS RACING AT PLAINRIDGE PARK ARE LICENSED AND GOVERNED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS GAMING COMMISSION (MGC).FOR INFORMATION AND FORMS VISIT THEIR SITES, SEE BELOW, OR VISIT THE MGC AND PLAINRIDGE PAGES.

IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST YEAR RACING AT PLAINRIDGE

• Owner-Trainer-Driver License Application

• Grooms License Application

• Vendor License Application

IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY LICENSED AND ARE RENEWING YOUR LICENSE

• Owner-Trainer-Driver License Application

• Grooms License Application

• Vendor License Application

Important: Licensing applications are to be faxed to: Attn: MGC @ 1-508-643-9624 or mailed to:

MGC Racining Div c/o Plainridge Park Casino

301 Washington St, Plainville MA  02762

They can also be hand-delivered to the White Building just outside the paddock.  Please Do Not Send the applications to the PLR Racing Doc email as the application contains sensitive personal information and cannot be accepted at this email.

MCG FORMS

• PRC Trainers Manual 2019

• Fingerprint Information

• Temporary Owners Form

The ARCI has made changes to their Uniform Classification of Foreign Substances schedule. The document may be accessed here or at the ARCI website and reflects the following changes:

Additions to the Schedule

Altrenogest: Drug Class 4, Penalty Class C substance in male horses only (no restriction on female horses).

Capsaicin: Capsaicin is derived from chili peppers and acts as a local anesthetic, similar to mepivacaine or lidocaine. It is present in a number of over the counter topical preparations – Drug Class 2 Penalty Class B.

Letrozole: Drug Class 3 Penalty Class A.

Metformin: This is an anti-hyperglycemic drug used in horses with equine metabolic syndrome (extra-label). It is reserved for the most severe cases of insulin resistance. Drug Class 2, Penalty Class B.

Mitragynine: Drug Class 1 Penalty Class A.

Pimobendan: Recent research in horses shows that this drug acts as a positive chronotropic (increasing heart rate) and ionotropic (increased contractility) drug. Drug Class 2 , Penalty Class B.

Tolfenamic Acid: Tolfenamic Acid is another NSAID and is a Drug Class 4, Penalty Class B substance consistent with other similar substances.

Change of Classification:

Dipyrone: Is an analgesic, antispasmodic, and antipyretic with minimal anti-inflammatory effects. It is also capable of depressing the central nervous system. It is no longer available in the United States as the FDA withdrew approval for it in 1977 due to its potential to cause agranulocytosis which can lead to immune system deficiencies. It is currently classified as a Drug Class 4 Penalty Class C substance. As it no longer has FDA approval, the RMTC recommends it be reclassified to a Drug Class 4 Penalty Class B– similar to other non-FDA approved NSAIDs.

• Health certificates are mandatory for all horses coming onto the grounds of Plainridge.

• Health certificate must be made to Plainridge.

• If the owner/trainer changes for any reason,we will need a new health certificate in their name.

• A licensed veterinarian must write the health certificate, and it must state that the horse is in good health, has a negative Coggins test which is good until December 31, 2023, and a recent Herpes (EHV-1) vaccination. A hard copy of Coggins is required (2023). Proof of vaccination is needed. Vaccination for EHV/Rhino may be put (legibly) on the health certificate.

• The health certificate must be presented the first time you come on the Plainridge grounds and is good for the entire meet.

• Health must be dated within 30 days of the first race at Plainridge.

• A health certificate will be good for the entire race meet as long as conditions are met.

• If sick, need new health OR well slip on the vets letterhead with ALL information (date, place, location, vet name, accreditation #, and well statement). If scratch sick at another track , say even 3 starts back before coming back here, will need new health, as sickness voids all past health certificates.

Plainridge Park will require a 2023 EHV-1 vaccination for all horses entering the grounds. This includes horses arriving at the facility for any purpose, such as participating in the racing meet, stabling on the grounds, or shipping into the facility for training purposes. Veterinary documentation of the vaccination will be required.

The vaccination must be given in the calendar year 2023. In order to afford the best protection, it is recommended that the vaccine be given at least 10-14 days prior to shipment. Please consult with your veterinarian regarding the specific vaccine and booster recommendations for your horses and situation. Veterinary documentation of the vaccine may be included on the health certificate.

Take Temperatures!

In May 2018, Dr. O’Connor and Dr. Lightbown spoke at Plainridge regarding the importance that temperatures be taken of horses before leaving their barns to race at Plainridge as mandated by the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture, emphasizing the possibility that racing could be stopped indefinitely should a sick horse enter the paddock area and infect other horses.

Dr. Andersen handed out a fact sheet discussing the importance of taking the temperature of each horse and other steps that should be taken. Please note the information Dr. Andersen provided below.
                    

Anyone might accidentally aid in causing a quarantine resulting in a major financial loss to racing. Taking temperatures can be the biggest tool in preventing a serious outbreak.

• Know your horse’s normal temperature and take it daily, or at a minimum, take it before transporting to race or anytime your horse is “not right.”

• Clean thermometers with alcohol or disinfectant between horses.

• Elevated temperatures nearly always show up before any signs of sickness.

  • At rest should be under 101oF – definitely should not race if 102oF or higher

• Know each horse’s temperature (98.5-100oF)

• Take temperatures first thing in the morning, at rest, for the most accurate reading.

• If moderately high (100.5-101oF) and your horse was administered bute or banamine within the past 30 hours, you may have a sick horse, but the bute lowered the temperature.

Other things that help:

• Vaccinate – but know that even vaccinated horses can get the disease. (There is no effective vaccine for some of these diseases.)

• Keep away from other horses and never share water buckets, etc.

• Some horses can be carriers to things such as Strangles and do not need to be exposed to a sick horse.

• Your horse did not have to go anywhere to become sick.

Things to do if your horse has a high temperature:

• Do not take it personally. It probably was NOT your fault.

• Always be suspicious of any horse that coughs, has a nasal discharge, off feed, dull, swelling under the jaw (throat latch area), not walking normally, etc.

• Discuss it with your local veterinarian and plan on scratching. Not discussing your concern with your veterinarian and ignoring the suspicion could end up with racing be canceled for many weeks.

• Work with the track or tracks where you normally race.

• There are likely to be some false alarms where horses with elevated fevers do not become sick, but this is much better than stopping racing. (Not every high fever is a contagious disease, but any horse with a fever (102oF or above) should not be stressed by racing.

Is the threat of stopping racing real?

Yes! Strangles (bacteria – Streptococcus equi) and Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), the neurological form of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV1), seem to pop up everywhere. In May 2018, there were about a dozen outbreaks of Strangles in Massachusetts, and a recent death in Maine was proven to be caused by the neurological Herpes virus. Each has shut down horse racing and horse showing across the U.S.

The following biosecurity measures are recommended:

• Dogs are not permitted on the event premises or All dogs on the event premises must be kept on a leash.

• Limit horse-to-horse contact

• Limit horse-to-human-to-horse contact 

• Avoid sharing of equipment, including: tack, water buckets, brushes, wipe rags, etc.

• Avoid the use of communal water troughs

• Avoid submerging the end of water hoses in water buckets

• Do not allow horses to drink directly from a water hose

• Avoid tying horses to fences or gates on the event grounds

• Cover all feed and hay to prevent access by vermin, birds or other animals

• Monitor your horse frequently for signs of disease during the event

• Immediately report any sick horse(s) to designated event official or veterinarian

• Thoroughly clean and disinfect all equipment before use at the home premises

• Isolate and monitor all animals upon return to the home premises