Tioga Downs will host the first Grand Circuit stakes of the 2020 season when the first trotting leg of the Graduate Series is held Sunday evening (June 14).

Thirteen declarations split into two $50,000 divisions carded as races 11 and 12 on the 15-race extravaganza.

Gimpanzee (Brian Sears) will face five rivals as he makes the Graduate his first start of hie four-year-old campaign for trainer Marcus Melander and Swedish owners Courant, Inc. and SRF Stable. The son of Chapter Seven closed out his sophomore season powerfully with wins in the Yonkers Trot, NYSS Final and Breeders Crown to vault past $1 million in 2019 earnings.

The second split will feature trotting Girl Power as top mares Grand Swan and Pure Chance invade to the Empire State with powerful Midwest resumes.

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.

(Grand Circuit)

Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will continue at Tioga as the track will host the first leg of the Graduate Series for pacers on a Sunday (June 21) card that also includes the $175,000 (est.) Roll With Joe Open Pace.