The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly story that recaps and previews Grand Circuit races.
This Week: Armbro Flight, Goodtimes, North America Cup, Fan Hanover and Roses Are Red eliminations, Mohawk Racetrack, Campbellville, Ontario; Charlie Hill Memorial, Scioto Downs, Columbus, Ohio; Meadows Maturity, the Meadows, Washington, Pa.; and Graduate Series third leg, Tioga Downs, Nichols, NY.
Schedule of events: Grand Circuit action this week begins on Friday (June 10) at Mohawk Racetrack with two $35,000 eliminations in the Armbro Flight for trotting mares and two $30,000 eliminations in the Goodtimes for three-year-old trotting colts.
The Saturday (June 11) card at Mohawk features a pair of $50,000 eliminations for the North America Cup for three-year-old pacing colts, three $35,000 eliminations in the Roses Are Red for pacing mares and two $35,000 eliminations in the Fan Hanover for three-year-old pacing fillies.
Scioto Downs and the Meadows will also host Grand Circuit racing on Saturday. Scioto features the $210,000 Charlie Hill Memorial for older trotters and the Meadows will contest the $46,500 Meadows Maturity Trot for older trotting mares.
Tioga Downs will round out a busy Grand Circuit weekend on Sunday (June 12) with $75,000 third leg contests in the Graduate Series for four-year-old open pacers and trotters.
Last time: The Pepsi North America Cup picture became a little bit clearer after Saturday night’s (June 4) Somebeachsomewhere Stakes at Mohawk Racetrack. A talented group of 19 three-year-old pacers competed in a pair of Somebeachsomewhere divisions. Of the 19 competitors in Saturday’s event, 17 were eligible to the Pepsi North America Cup.
Betting Line continued his impressive early-season with a 1:50.1 victory in the first split. The Casie Coleman trainee got away fourth for driver Jonathan Drury and was quickly moved in the second quarter when Tony Alagna trainee American Passport brushed to the front from third. Betting Line followed his rival and cleared to command at the half in :55.2. After reaching the three-quarters pole in 1:23.3, Betting Line and American Passport created a little separation on their competition in the lane. The Coleman trainee was able to shoot home in :26.3 and hold off deep stretch push by a strong finishing American Passport to win by a half-length. Michaels Victory finished third, while Magnum J was fourth.
Betting Line, who banked $411,675 as a rookie and won the OSS Super Final, is owned by West Wins Stable, Christine Calhoun and Mac Nichol. His 2016 record now sits at two wins and a second in three starts.
The second division saw Lyons Snyder turn in a huge effort to win in 1:49. Driven by Sylvain Filion, Lyons Snyder left from Post 3 and got away in the two-hole behind Major Hill. The Mark Silva-trained colt didn’t sit in the pocket long and circled around to the front just after Major Hill cut a :25.4 opening quarter. Lyons Snyder rolled right along in the middle half with fractions of :54.1 and 1:22.1. Meanwhile, O’Brien Award winner Control The Moment was sitting second-over rounding the final turn and ready to fire. In the stretch, Control The Moment took his best shot and got right up to Lyons Snyder, but the Silva trainee dug in and shot home in :26.4 to win by a half-length. Nocturnal Bluechip finished third, while Major Hill was fourth.
A son of Well Said, Lyons Snyder entered Saturday’s contest with three wins in five starts this season after going winless in five outings as a rookie. Lyons Snyder has now earned $97,343 this season for owners Jeff Snyder and Geoffrey Lyons Mound and is a serious contender heading into the NA Cup.
Grand Circuit Standings: In 2016, the Grand Circuit leaders in three categories (driver, trainer and owner) will once again be tracked on a points system (20-10-5 for the top three finishers in divisions/finals and 10-5-2 for the top three finishers in eliminations/legs). Winbak Farm is the sponsor for the 2016 Grand Circuit awards.
Here are the current leaders:
Drivers: 1. Jordan Stratton – 191.5; 2. Daniel Dube – 120; 3. Matt Kakaley – 110; 4. Tim Tetrick – 104; 5. George Brennan – 103.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 173; 2. Jeff Bamond Jr. – 158; 3. Peter Tritton – 139.5; 4. Rene Allard – 120; 5. Clyde Francis - 82.5.
Owners: 1. Harry von Knoblauch - 139.5; 2. Bamond Racing – 105; 3t. Burke Racing Stable – 48.85; 3t. Weaver Bruscemi – 48.85; 5. Purple Haze Stables - 44.
Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will take place at Mohawk, the Meadows and Tioga Downs next weekend. Mohawk will host its five stakes finals, led by the $1 million North America Cup, on Saturday night (June 18); the Meadows will offer the Meadows Maturity Trot for older trotting males; and Tioga Downs will feature the Roll With Joe for open pacers.
(Grand Circuit)