The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly recap and preview of Grand Circuit races.
This Week: Breeders Crown eliminations, Woodbine Mohawk Park, Milton, Ont.; The Pegasus, Hoosier Park, Anderson, Ind.; and Kindergarten Series, the Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, N.J.
Schedule of Events: The Grand Circuit heads to Woodbine Mohawk Park this Friday (Oct. 18) and Saturday (Oct. 19) for Breeders Crown eliminations in nine divisions. Eliminations will not be required for the open pace, open trot and mare pace.
The Friday card features a trio of $25,000 eliminations in the two-year-old filly pace, two eliminations in the two-year-old filly trot and single eliminations in the two-year-old colt pace and two-year-old colt trot.
The Saturday card has a total of eight eliminations, with each carrying a purse of $25,000. The three-year-old colt pace, three-year-old filly trot and mare trot will each split two ways, while the three-year-old colt trot and three-year-old filly pace have lone eliminations.
On Friday night at Hoosier Park, there will be eight divisions of The Pegasus for three-year-olds of both sexes and gaits. The $80,000 colt pace, $76,700 colt trot, $69,000 filly trot and $67,000 filly pace will each have two divisions.
The Meadowlands on Friday night will host another leg of The Kindergarten Series for two-year-olds of both sexes and gaits. There will be two divisions in the filly trot and single divisions in the colt pace, colt trot and filly pace. Each race has a purse of $10,000.
Last Time: If the boisterous Italian contingent who found their way to Westchester, NY Saturday afternoon (Oct. 12) could have lifted Zacon Gio onto their shoulders, they would have. The four-year-old survived nine world-class rivals and an inquiry to win Yonkers Raceway’s $1 million International Trot. To read a complete recap, click here.
Grand Circuit Standings: In 2019, 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 2019 Grand Circuit awards.
Here are the leaders following this past weekend:
Drivers: 1. Tim Tetrick – 1,252.5; 2. Yannick Gingras – 1,053; 3. Dexter Dunn – 835; 4. David Miller – 831; 5. Andrew McCarthy – 664.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 1,073; 2. Tony Alagna – 690; 3 Ake Svanstedt – 562; 4. Marcus Melander – 534; 5. Nancy Johansson – 488.
Owners: 1. Courant Inc. – 240; 2. Brad Grant – 227.3; 3. Fashion Farms – 214.5; 4. Burke Racing Stable – 211.3; 5. Robert Key – 191.
Looking Ahead: Grand Circuit action will once again take place next week at Woodbine Mohawk Park with Breeders Crown finals in all 12 categories (two- and three-year-old colt and filly pacers and trotters and older horse and mare pacers and trotters). Hoosier Park will host Circle City divisions for three-year-olds and Madison County divisions for two-year-olds. In addition, the Meadowlands will host another leg of the Kindergarten Series for two-year-old pacers and trotters of both sexes.
(With files from the Grand Circuit)