The Grand Circuit's weekly overview highlights its upcoming races at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Harrah's Philadelphia and Harrah's Hoosier Park.
This Week: Breeders Crown eliminations, Woodbine Mohawk Park, Milton, Ont.; John Simpson Stakes, Harrah’s Philadelphia, Chester, Pennsylvania; and The Pegasus, Harrah’s Hoosier Park, Anderson, Indiana.
Schedule of Events: Grand Circuit action this week commences on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 20) at Harrah’s Philadelphia with three divisions in the $104,010 John Simpson Stakes for two-year-old colt trotters. The Friday (Oct. 21) card features two divisions in the $93,200 John Simpson Stakes for two-year-old filly pacers. On Sunday (Oct. 23), there will be two divisions in the $106,600 John Simpson Stakes for two-year-old filly trotters.
Hoosier Park on Friday (Oct. 21) will host The Pegasus for three-year-olds of both sexes and gaits. There will be two divisions in the $57,000 three-year-old colt trot; two divisions in the $55,000 three-year-old colt pace; two divisions in the $54,000 three-year-old filly trot; and a single $50,000 division in the three-year-old filly pace.
Breeders Crown eliminations at Mohawk will take place on Friday (Oct. 21) and Saturday (Oct. 22). Friday will feature a pair of $25,000 races for two-year-old males of both gaits, a pair of $25,000 races for two-year-old filly pacers, and a single $25,000 elimination for two-year-old filly trotters. Saturday features a pair of $25,000 eliminations in the Mare Pace, the three-year-old male pace, the three-year-old male trot, and the three-year-old filly trot.
Complete entries for the Philadelphia and Hoosier races are available by clicking here. Complete entries for the Mohawk races are available by clicking here.
Last Time: Cokstile, representing Norway and sent off at odds of 20-1, rallied off a hot tempo and drew clear in the stretch to win Saturday afternoon’s (Oct. 15) $1 million MGM Yonkers International Trot in 2:23 for the mile and a quarter. To read the complete recap, click here.
For a list of 2022 race winners on the Grand Circuit, click here.
Grand Circuit Standings: In 2022, 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 2022 Grand Circuit awards.
Here are the leaders (through the races on Oct. 16, 2022):
Drivers: 1. Dexter Dunn – 1,328; 2. Tim Tetrick – 908; 3. Yannick Gingras – 876; 4. Todd McCarthy – 694; 5. David Miller – 687.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 782; 2. Tony Alagna – 652; 3. Ake Svanstedt – 614; 4. Brett Pelling – 439; 5. Marcus Melander – 406.
Owners: 1. David McDuffee – 180.9; 2. Brad Grant – 169; 3. Caviart Farms – 166; 4. Courant Inc. – 154; 5. Crawford Farms Racing – 141.6.
Looking Ahead: Grand Circuit action will once again take place next week at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Harrah’s Hoosier Park, and Harrah’s Philadelphia. Mohawk will offer 12 Breeders Crown finals for two-year-olds, three-year-olds and older horses of both sexes and gaits; Harrah’s Hoosier Park will feature The Circle City for three-year-olds of both sexes and gaits; and Harrah’s Philadelphia will host the John Simpson Stakes for three-year-olds of both sexes and gaits.
(Grand Circuit)