Spotlight On The Grand Circuit
The Grand Circuit's weekly overview highlights its upcoming races at Charlottetown Driving Park, Woodbine Mohawk Park, Hippodrome 3R and Pocono Downs.
This Week: Earl Beal Memorial, Max C. Hempt Memorial, James Lynch Memorial and Delmonica Hanover, Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; Gold Cup and Saucer final, Red Shores Racetrack & Casino, Charlottetown, P.E.I.; William Wellwood and Peaceful Way eliminations, Woodbine Mohawk Park, Milton, Ont.; and Prix d’Ete, Hippodrome 3R, Trois-Rivieres, Que.
Schedule of Events: A busy Saturday afternoon (Aug. 17) of Grand Circuit racing will take place at Pocono with main events and consolations for the Earl Beal Memorial (colt and gelding trot), Max C. Hempt Memorial (colt and gelding pace), James Lynch Memorial (filly pace) and Delmonica Hanover (filly trot).
The Beal has a $300,000 USD main event and $200,000 USD and $100,000 USD consolations; the Hempt also has a $300,000 USD main event and $200,000 USD and $100,000 USD consolations. The Lynch features a $250,000 USD main event and $125,000 USD and $75,000 USD consolations, while the Delmonica Hanover has a $250,000 USD main event and $125,000 USD and $75,000 USD consolations.
Also on Saturday, Red Shores Racetrack & Casino will host the $100,000 Gold Cup and Saucer final for older pacers.
Woodbine Mohawk Park will feature two $30,000 William Wellwood Memorial eliminations for two-year-old male trotters and two $30,000 Peaceful Way eliminations for two-year-old filly trotters on Saturday.
Hippodrome 3R will host the $200,000 Prix d’Ete for four-year-old open pacers on Sunday, Aug. 18.
Complete entries for the Pocono races are available by clicking here. Click on the following links for entries for the Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park, Woodbine Mohawk Park and Hippodrome 3R races.
Last Time: After Timeisonemyside set devastating fractions early, the streaking Sabonis was able to pick up the pieces late, rallying to win the $410,959 Carl Milstein Memorial for three-year-old pacers on Saturday, Aug. 10 at MGM Northfield Park. Click here to read the complete recap.
Grand Circuit Standings: In 2024, 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 2024 Grand Circuit awards.
Here are the leaders (through the races on Aug. 10, 2024):
Drivers: 1. Dexter Dunn – 543; 2. Yannick Gingras – 508.5; 3. David Miller – 359; 4. Tim Tetrick – 282; 5. Scott Zeron – 270.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 558; 2. Ake Svanstedt – 344; 3. Nancy Takter – 273; 4. Travis Alexander – 194; 5. Anthony Beaton – 179.
Owners: 1. Burke Racing Stable – 128.9; 2. Weaver Bruscemi – 108.9; 3. Caviart Farms – 75.4; 4. Ryan Smith – 60; 5. West Wins Stable – 59.9.
Looking Ahead: Grand Circuit action will be taking place next week at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Mohawk Park will contest several stakes, including the William Wellwood and Peaceful Way finals for two-year-old trotters, the Nassagaweya for two-year-old male pacers, the Eternal Camnation for two-year-old filly pacers, the Casual Breeze for three-year-old filly trotters, and eliminations in the Maple Leaf Trot for older trotters and the Canadian Pacing Derby for older pacers.
(Grand Circuit)