The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly recap and preview of Grand Circuit races.
This Week: John Simpson Memorial, Harrah’s Philadelphia, Chester, Pa.; and Red Mile Grand Circuit, the Red Mile, Lexington, Ky.
Schedule of Events: Grand Circuit action begins this week on Wednesday (Oct. 2) at Harrah’s Philadelphia with three $30,000 divisions in the John Simpson Memorial for three-year-old filly pacers and three $30,000 divisions in the John Simpson Memorial for three-year-old filly trotters. On Sunday (Oct. 6) Harrah’s Philadelphia will offer the $75,000 (est.) John Simpson Memorial races for two-year-old male pacers and trotters.
The second week of Grand Circuit action at the Red Mile will kick off on Thursday (Oct. 3) with three divisions in the $276,300 International Stallion Stakes for two-year-old colt trotters. The Friday (Oct. 4) card features four divisions in the $290,200 International Stallion Stakes for two-year-old filly trotters and two divisions in the $239,000 International Stallion Stakes for two-year-old filly pacers. On Saturday (Oct. 5) the Red Mile will host the $350,000 (est.) International Stallion Stake for two-year-old colt pacers, the $275,000 (est.) Glen Garnsey Memorial for three-year-old filly pacers and a pair of $150,000 (est.) Allerage races for open pacers and open trotters. On Sunday (Oct. 6), the Red Mile will offer the $500,000 (est.) Kentucky Futurity, the third leg of Trotting’s Triple Crown for three-year-olds, the companion $300,000 (est.) Kentucky Filly Futurity for three-year-old filly trotters, the $450,000 (est.) Tattersalls Pace for three-year-old colt pacers, and $85,000 (est.) Allerage races for older pacing mares and older trotting mares.
Last Time: Manchego not only won the $171,250 Dayton Trotting Derby over a talented field of older male trotters, but the four-year-old daughter of Muscle Hill obliterated the Hollywood Dayton Raceway track record and established a new world record for trotting mares on a five-eighths-mile oval with a 1:50.1 score on Friday, September 27.
Jimmy Freight (who was driven by Scott Zeron) upset a field that included five millionaires to capture the $151,750 Dayton Pacing Derby. The 10-1 longshot topped McWicked (Brian Sears) and Western Fame (Dan Noble) by one and a quarter lengths in 1:48.3.
For a complete recap of the races, 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 – 1,050.5; 2. Yannick Gingras – 898; 3. David Miller – 687; 4. Dexter Dunn – 646; 5. Andrew McCarthy – 539.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 943; 2. Tony Alagna – 588; 3. Marcus Melander – 414; 4. Ake Svanstedt – 412; 5. Nancy Johansson – 351.
Owners: 1. Brad Grant – 197.6; 2. Fashion Farms – 194.5; 3. Burke Racing Stable – 184.8; 4. Courant Inc. – 172.5; 5. Weaver Bruscemi – 167.3.
Looking Ahead: Grand Circuit action will take place next week at Yonkers Raceway, Harrah’s Philadelphia, Northfield Park and the Meadowlands Racetrack. Yonkers will offer the Yonkers International Trot at Empire City Casino for free-for-all trotters; Harrah’s Philadelphia will host the John Simpson Stakes for two-year-old filly pacers and trotters; Northfield will host the Courageous Lady for three-year-old filly pacers; and the Meadowlands will feature the fourth leg of the Kindergarten Series for two-year-olds of both sexes and gaits.
(With files from the Grand Circuit)