The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly story recapping and previewing Grand Circuit races.
This Week: Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy Series fourth legs, Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, NY.
Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit at Yonkers this week features two $40,000 divisions on Friday (April 10) in the fourth round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for open pacing mares. The Saturday (April 11) card at Yonkers will see three $50,000 divisions in the fourth round of the George Morton Levy Series for open pacers.
Last time: P H Supercam is making a case to defend his George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series title with a 1:51.2 win in his $50,000 division this past Saturday night (April 4) at Yonkers Raceway, his third consecutive win in the series.
Driven by Jason Bartlett for trainer Jeff Bamond Jr., P H Supercam sat the pocket behind Lucan Hanover through fractions of :27.1, :56 and 1:23.2. In the stretch, Bartlett tipped the 3-5 favourite, who sped by to win by a half-length. Lucan Hanover stayed on for second with McErlean third.
P H Supercam, an eight-year-old gelding by Million Dollar Cam-Callwood Ivy, is owned by Bamond Racing LLC. He has earned 225 points in the Levy Series and is alone in first place, 25 points ahead of runner-up Beach Memories.
Carolsideal remained unbeaten after three legs in the Blue Chip Matchmaker for mares thanks to a 1:53.1 score in her third leg division this past Friday (April 3).
Starting outside her four foes, Carolsideal (driven by Dan Dube) watched as 11-10 favourite Anndrovette left and pocketed Medusa. After early intervals of :27.3 and :56.3, For The Ladies N offered a fair amount of first-up pressure in and out of the 1:24.4 three-quarters.
Anndrovette maintained a short lead into the lane, but company was coming. Carolsideal vaulted wide off her tow, than went by to win going away. The margin, over 19-1 outsider Fancy Desire, was one and a half lengths. Anndrovette settled for third.
For second choice Carolsideal, a six-year-old daughter of Western Ideal trained by Rene Allard for co-owners Allard Racing, Yves Sarazin and Kapildeo Singh, it was her eighth win in nine seasonal starts. Carolsideal now has 225 points to lead the Matchmaker Series by 67 points over runner-up Yagonnakissmeornot.
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.
Here are the leaders following the past weekend at Yonkers:
Drivers: 1. Daniel Dube – 80; 2. Jason Bartlett – 79; 3. Yannick Gingras – 51; 4. George Brennan – 45; 5. Tim Tetrick – 25.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 81; 2. Jeff Bamond Jr. – 80; 3. Rene Allard – 55; 4. Tony O’Sullivan – 25; 5. Mark Silva – 20.
Owners: 1. Bamond Racing – 72; 2. Jeff Snyder – 20; 3t. Burke Racing - 18.4; 3t. Weaver Bruscemi – 18.4; 5. Allard Racing – 18.2.
Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will continue with the final preliminary leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy next weekend. The finals and consolations for both events will be held on April 25.
(Grand Circuit)