The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly recap and preview of racing on the Grand Circuit.
This Week: Spirit of Massachusetts and Clara Barton, Plainridge Racecourse, Plainville, Mass.; Nadia Lobell, Hoosier Park, Anderson, Ind.; Tompkins-Geers, Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, N.J. and Delvin Miller Adios eliminations, the Meadows, Washington, Pa.
Schedule of Events: Grand Circuit action begins this Friday (July 24) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park with the $100,000 Nadia Lobell for three-year-old pacing fillies.
The Saturday (July 25) Grand Circuit card at the Meadowlands features the $89,100 Tompkins-Geers for three-year-old trotting colts and a pair of $42,700 divisions of the Tompkins-Geers for three-year-old trotting fillies.
Saturday Grand Circuit action also includes three $25,000 Delvin Miller Adios eliminations for three-year-old male pacers at the Meadows.
On Sunday (July 26), Plainridge will feature the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts for open trotters and the $100,000 Clara Barton for pacing mares.
Last Time: Tall Dark Stranger is a danger, especially with his back to the wall. Pushed to the max by old rival Papi Rob Hanover, Tall Dark Stranger battled back in deep stretch to win the $636,650 Meadowlands Pace by a neck on Saturday night (July 18) at the Meadowlands. To read a recap and watch a replay of the Meadowlands Pace, click here. For a complete recap of 2020 Meadowlands Pace Night, click here.
Grand Circuit Standings: In 2020, 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 Farms is the sponsor for the 2020 Grand Circuit awards.
Here are the leaders following this past weekend:
Drivers: 1. Yannick Gingras – 195; 2. Brian Sears – 127; 3. Dexter Dunn – 117; 4. Tim Tetrick – 92; 5. Scott Zeron – 87.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 195; 2. Nancy Takter – 120; 3t. Marcus Melander – 104; 3t. Ake Svanstedt – 104; 5. Tony Alagna – 50.
Owners: 1. Courant Inc. – 45; 2. Burke Racing Stable – 38.4; 3. Crawford Farms Racing – 38; 4. S R F Stable – 35; 5. Weaver Bruscemi – 33.4.
Looking Ahead: Grand Circuit action will be taking place next week at the Meadows and Meadowlands Racetrack. The Meadows will host six Grand Circuit events, led by the final of the Delvin Miller Adios for three-year-old pacing colts. The Meadowlands Racetrack will host eliminations for four lucrative stakes, led by the Hambletonian for three-year-old colt trotters, as well as the Tompkins-Geers for three-year-old pacers and the fourth leg of the Miss Versatility for trotting mares.
(With files from the Grand Circuit)