The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly recap and preview of Grand Circuit races.
This Week: Yonkers International Trot, Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, NY; Courageous Lady, Northfield Park, Northfield, Ohio; John Simpson Stakes, Harrah’s Philadelphia, Chester, Pa.; and Kindergarten Series, the Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, NJ.
Schedule of Events: This week’s marquee event on the Grand Circuit is the $1 million Yonkers International Trot, which will be held on Saturday (Oct. 12) at Yonkers Raceway. A field of 10 top trotters will head to the gate in the Yonkers International.
Also on Saturday, Northfield Park will host the $120,500 Courageous Lady for three-year-old filly pacers.
Grand Circuit action this week begins on Wednesday (Oct. 9) at Harrah’s Philadelphia with two divisions in the $114,800 John Simpson Stakes for two-year-old filly pacers and two divisions in the $102,200 John Simpson Stakes for two-year-old filly trotters.
On Friday (Oct. 11) the Meadowlands will host the fourth leg of The Kindergarten for two-year-olds of both sexes and gaits. There will be two divisions each for the colt pacers, filly trotters and filly pacers and a single division for the colt trotters.
Last Time: Division leader Greenshoe kept his crown intact as he patiently pushed for the front and faced little challenge when cruising to a 1:51.1 mile in the 127th Kentucky Futurity over a ‘good’ track at the Red Mile on Sunday (Oct. 6). For a complete recap of the Futurity card, 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 – 1,170.5; 2. Yannick Gingras – 1,028; 3. David Miller – 792; 4. Dexter Dunn – 751; 5. Andrew McCarthy – 624.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 1,063; 2. Tony Alagna – 673; 3 Ake Svanstedt – 527; 4. Marcus Melander – 474; 5. Nancy Johansson – 421.
Owners: 1. Brad Grant – 225.1; 2. Fashion Farms – 214.5; 3. Burke Racing Stable – 210; 4. Courant Inc. – 202.5; 5. Weaver Bruscemi – 186.2.
Looking Ahead: Grand Circuit action will take place next weekend at Woodbine Mohawk Park with 12 Breeders Crown eliminations (if necessary) set to take place on Friday (Oct. 18) and Saturday (Oct. 19). Hoosier Park will host The Pegasus for three-year-olds of both sexes and gaits and the Meadowlands has the fifth leg of the Kindergarten for two-year-olds of both sexes and gaits.
(With files from the Grand Circuit)