The Grand Circuit’s publicity arm has sent out its final recap of the 2014 season, which also includes the final standings in the drivers, trainers and owners categories.
Schedule of events: The final Grand Circuit race of the 2014 season was to be at Northfield Park this Friday (December 12) as the northeast Ohio oval was to host the $150,000 Cleveland Classic for three-year-old male pacers.
However, only five sophomore pacers entered for the $150,000 guaranteed purse and the race was cancelled. Their ownerships will each receive a cheque in excess of $17,000 for entering.
Last time: Hall of Famer David Miller guided McWicked to a 1:48.4 victory this past Sunday (December 7) in the $301,560 Progress Pace for three-year-old male pacers at Dover Downs.
Paying a $25,000 supplemental fee paid off for owner Ed James’ S S G Stables, as McWicked swept both the $35,000 Progress Pace Preview and the $301,560 final in identical clockings of 1:48.4, but the manner of victories varied.
After a near wire-to-wire success the prior week, in the final Miller drove the McArdle-Western Sahara colt out of third approaching the half and then sided-up to leader, JK Endofanera (driven by Yannick Gingras) on the backstretch. They battled around the final turn before McWicked pulled away early in the stretch for his 12th win of the year, raising his seasonal bankroll to $1,472,937 and $1,652,554 for his two seasons of racing. JK Endofanera was one and a quarter lengths back in second with Tim Tetrick rallying Somewhere In L A for third money.
Grand Circuit Standings: In 2014, 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 2014 Grand Circuit awards.
Here are the final standings for the 2014 season:
Drivers: 1. Yannick Gingras – 2,287; 2. Tim Tetrick – 1,182; 3. David Miller – 1,023.5; 4. Ron Pierce – 877.5; 5. Corey Callahan – 647.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 2,490.5; 2. Jimmy Takter – 1,913; 3. Erv Miller – 446.5; 4. Joe Holloway – 411; 5. Julie Miller – 347.
Owners: 1. Burke Racing – 550.03; 2. Weaver Bruscemi – 500.03; 3. 3 Brothers Stable – 367; 4. Brittany Farms – 294.45; 5. Robert Key –272.
Looking ahead: The 2014 Grand Circuit season has concluded. The 2015 Grand Circuit schedule will be released in January.
(Grand Circuit)