The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly recap and preview of Grand Circuit races.
This Week: Dexter Cup elimination, Freehold Raceway, Freehold, N.J.
Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit at Freehold this week will feature a single $39,650 Dexter Cup elimination for three-year-old open trotters. A field of eight will head to the gate for Race 10, which carries an approximate post time of 3:30 p.m. (EDT).
Last time: Western Fame was the top horse in the five preliminary rounds of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series and he proved to be the best again in Saturday’s (April 20) $664,000 championship for older male pacers at Yonkers Raceway. The six-year-old horse won the final by almost five lengths over Rodeo Rock in a stakes-record-equalling 1:50.4. More The Better N was third.
Shartin N became the first repeat champion in the 11-year history of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series, as she captured Saturday’s $402,600 final for pacing mares by one and a half lengths over stablemate Bettor Joy N in 1:52.1. Apple Bottom Jeans finished third.
To read the recaps of both races, 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 at Yonkers:
Drivers: 1. Tim Tetrick – 158; 2. George Brennan – 90; 3. Jason Bartlett – 87; 4. Daniel Dube – 77; 5. Scott Zeron – 75.
Trainers: 1. Jim King Jr. – 122; 2. Rene Allard – 77; 3. Ron Burke – 53; 4. Richard Banca – 51; 5. Ross Croghan – 43.
Owners: 1. Jo Ann Looney-King – 45; 2. Tim Tetrick LLC – 41.5; 3. D R Van Witzenburg – 40; 4. Robert Cooper Stables – 39.1; 5. Royal Wire Products – 37.
Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will take place next weekend at Freehold Raceway, Meadowlands Racetrack, and Miami Valley Raceway. Freehold will have the Lady Suffolk for three-year-old filly trotters and the Dexter Cup final for three-year-old open trotters on Saturday (May 4). The Meadowlands Racetrack will host the Cutler Memorial for older trotters and the first leg of the Graduate for four-year-old pacers on Saturday (May 4). Miami Valley Raceway will feature the Miami Valley Distaff for older trotting mares and the Chip Noble Memorial for older pacing mares on Monday (May 6).
(With files from the Grand Circuit)