Spotlight On The Grand Circuit

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Published: November 20, 2019 01:03 pm EST

The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly recap and preview of Grand Circuit races.

This Week: Fall Four and TVG finals, Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, N.J. and Hap Hansen Progress Pace elimination, Dover Downs, Dover, Del.

Schedule of Events: The Grand Circuit returns to Dover Downs this Wednesday (Nov. 20) for a $35,000 elimination in the Hap Hansen Progress Pace for three-year-old open pacers. A field off 10 will compete for eight spots in the final slated for Nov. 27.

On Saturday night (Nov. 23) Meadowlands Racetrack will host finals in each of the Fall Four events for freshman pacers and trotters and the TVG series for open pacers and trotters. The Fall Four features the $505,050 Valley Victory for two-year-old male trotters, the $475,100 Goldsmith Maid for two-year-old filly trotters, the $401,850 Governor’s Cup for two-year-old male pacers and the $411,000 Three Diamonds for two-year-old filly pacers. The TVG finals consist of the $350,000 Open Pace, the $350,000 Open Trot, $175,000 Mare Pace and the $175,000 Mare Trot.

Last Time: Breeders Crown winner Gimpanzee and Hambletonian Oaks winner When Dovescry added another Grand Circuit title to their respective resumes with victories in the Matron Stakes for three-year-old trotters on Thursday (Nov. 14) at Dover Downs. To read the 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 – 1,366.5; 2. Yannick Gingras – 1,278; 3. Dexter Dunn – 1,019; 4. David Miller – 940; 5. Andrew McCarthy – 808.

Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 1,292; 2. Tony Alagna – 877; 3 Nancy Johansson – 672; 4. Ake Svanstedt – 637; 5. Marcus Melander – 623.

Owners: 1. Courant Inc. – 284.5; 2. Brad Grant – 267.1; 3. Burke Racing Stable – 238.7; 4. Robert Key – 226; 5. Fashion Farms – 224.5.

Looking Ahead: The 2019 Grand Circuit season comes to a close on Nov. 27. Dover Downs will host the final stake of the season in the $300,000 (est.) Hap Hansen Progress Pace for three-year-old male pacers.

(With files from the Grand Circuit)

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