Mohawk Racetrack's annual Grand Circuit week begins tonight (Thursday, August 28) with the Champlain Stakes for two-year-old trotting fillies and wraps up next Saturday (September 6).

The Champlain Stakes for two-year-olds and Simcoe Stakes for three-year-olds are staples on the Grand Circuit schedule every year.

“Having North America’s top two and three-year-olds come to Mohawk is exciting and something we all look forward to,” said Scott McKelvie, Woodbine Entertainment Group’s Racing Secretary and Director of Racing. “The Grand Circuit’s annual visit is always a highlight of the racing season.”

Thursday night, three Champlain divisions for more than $83,000 will take place for the freshman trotting fillies.

Spirit To Win (PP3), the winner of this year’s Pure Ivory Series, leads the group of eight in the first division. A daughter of Cantab Hall–Celebrity Spirit, Spirit To Win has won three times in four career starts for trainer Dustin Jones and driver Chris Christoforou.

The second division features Ontario Sires Stakes standout Danielle Hall (PP6) for the trainer/driver duo of Carl and Jody Jamieson. A daughter of Deweycheatumnhowe–Debbie Hall, Danielle Hall has won four of her five career starts for earnings of over $137,000.

Jolene Jolene (PP1) is the 4-5 morning line favourite in the third and final division. Trained by Jonas Czernyson, Jolene Jolene is a daughter of Muscle Hill–Celebrity Speedie and has one win in four career starts. She was the runner-up in the $352,050 Merrie Annabelle at the Meadowlands on August 2.

The stakes action will continue on Friday night with two divisions of more than $103,000 of the Simcoe Stakes for three-year-old trotting fillies and two $124,621 divisions of the Champlain Stakes for two-year-old trotters.

World champion Lifetime Pursuit, the winner of this year’s Hambletonian Oaks, headlines the group of 13 three-year-old trotting fillies. Trained by Jimmy Takter, the Cantab Hall-Queen Of Grace filly will start from post six in the second Simcoe Stakes division with driver Brett Miller. She is coming off a stakes record victory of 1:52.1 in the Casual Breeze Stakes last Friday at Mohawk.

Miller and Takter will also team up in the second Champlain Stakes division with freshmen trotting colt French Laundry. A son of Muscles Yankee–Creamy Mimi, French Laundry has won three of his five career starts and will start from post three.

On Saturday evening, the $207,689 Simcoe Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies and the $218,076 Simcoe Stakes for three-year-old trotters will take place as part of the massive Canadian Pacing Derby card.

O'Brien Award winner Precocious Beauty leads a group of nine three-year-old pacing fillies in the Simcoe Stakes. Last year’s Shes A Great Lady Stakes winner, Precocious Beauty will start from post four for the trainer/driver team of Gregg and Doug McNair.

A large field of 12 three-year-old trotters starring this year’s Hambletonian winner Trixton will meet in their Simcoe Stakes division.

Trixton, who has drawn post 11 in the second tier, will be making his first start since winning the $1 million Hambletonian at the Meadowlands on August 2. The Muscle Hill-Emile Cas El colt will also be making his first start at Mohawk since he set the track record of 1:51.3 in the $272,100 Goodtimes Stakes on June 14. Trainer Jimmy Takter will take his usual position in the bike behind Trixton on Saturday evening.

After a busy weekend, the Champlain and Simcoe Stakes action will resume next Saturday (September 6) with the $260,000 Champlain Stakes for two-year-old pacers, the $240,000 Champlain Stakes for the two-year-old pacing fillies and the $240,000 Simcoe Stakes for three-year-old pacers.

To view Mohawk's harness racing entries, click on the following links:
Thursday Entries / Friday Entries / Saturday Entries.

(With files from WEG)