The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly recap and preview of Grand Circuit races.
This Week: Lady Suffolk and Dexter Cup, Freehold Raceway, Freehold, N.J.; Arthur Cutler Memorial and Graduate Pace first leg, Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, N.J.; and Chip Noble Memorial and Miami Valley Distaff, Miami Valley Raceway, Lebanon, Ohio.
Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit at Freehold this week will feature the $118,950 Dexter Cup for three-year-old open trotters and the $75,000 (est.) Lady Suffolk for three-year-old filly trotters on Saturday (May 4).
The Meadowlands Racetrack will offer the $175,200 Arthur Cutler Memorial for older trotters and two $50,000 divisions in the opening leg of the Graduate for four-year-old pacers, also on Saturday.
Miami Valley Raceway will feature the $100,000 Miami Valley Distaff for older trotting mares and the $100,000 Chip Noble Memorial for older pacing mares on Monday (May 6).
Last time: Robert Key’s Whirl Winds K took advantage of a pocket trip to nip Cavill Hanover by a nose in 1:59.3 in the $39,650 Dexter Cup elimination for three-year-old trotters on Saturday (April 27) at Freehold Raceway. 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 – 158; 2. George Brennan – 100; 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 racing next week will feature W.N. Reynolds Memorial contests at Yonkers Raceway for three-year-old colt and filly pacers.
(With files from the Grand Circuit)