How time flies. The 2015 Grand Circuit season will kick off this coming weekend at Yonkers Raceway, as opening-leg divisions of the Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy Series are set to be contested at Yonkers Raceway.
The Grand Circuit’s publicity arm has sent out its preview of this weekend’s upcoming races. The preview appears below.
This Week: Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy series opening legs, Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, N.Y. These are the opening events of the 2015 Grand Circuit season.
Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit at Yonkers features three $40,000 divisions on Friday (March 20) in the first round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for open pacing mares. The Saturday (March 21) card at Yonkers will see five $50,000 divisions in the opening round of the George Morton Levy Series for open pacers.
There are 17 pacing mares entered in the first leg of the six-week Matchmaker, which concludes on April 25. Defending Matchmaker Series champion Somwherovrarainbow is in the third division and series runner-up Yagonnakissmeornot is in the first division. Four-time Dan Patch Award winner Anndrovette is in the middle division, as well as 9-5 morning line choice Carolsideal, a winner of five of six so far this year.
The 11-year-old Foiled Again, harness racing’s richest-ever horse ($6.9 million), will begin his 2015 season Saturday night, leading 35 of the best Free-For-Allers into Yonkers Raceway for the opening round of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series.
Five $50,000 seven-horse divisions are on tap with Foiled Again – who won this series consecutively in 2009 and 2010 – drawing outside his six rivals in a power-packed third event.
Those looking to stall Foiled Again’s 84th win photo include last season’s Levy winner P H Supercam and runner-up Apprentice Hanover. Foiled Again cut the mile in that race before finishing third.
Grand Circuit Standings: In 2015, 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 2015 Grand Circuit awards.
Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will continue with legs of the Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy over the next four weekends. The finals and consolations for both events will be held on April 25.
(With files from the Grand Circuit)