The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly preview for the upcoming weekend's Grand Circuit races.
This Week: Arthur J. Cutler Memorial final and Meadowlands Maturity, Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, New Jersey and Miss Versatility first leg, Woodbine Racetrack, Toronto, Ontario.
Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit at Meadowlands Racetrack this week will feature two lucrative events on Saturday (May 18) with the $180,000 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial final for older trotters and the $100,000 Meadowlands Maturity for four-year-old open pacers.
Woodbine will host its first Grand Circuit race of the year on Monday (May 20) with the $40,000 first leg of the Miss Versatility Series for older trotting mares.
Last time: Yannick Gingras extended his lead in the Grand Circuit driving standings as he posted 52 points this past weekend at Meadowlands Racetrack.
Gingras was in the winner’s circle with True Day Dream in a division of the John Simpson Stake for three-year-old filly trotters, Muscle Mountain in a division of the John Simpson Stake for three-year-old colt trotters and Wishing Stone in an elimination race for the Arthur J. Cutler Memorial for older trotters.
Jimmy Takter grabbed the weekly honours for trainers as his pupils racked up 30 points over the weekend. He won a division of the John Simpson Stakes for three-year-old colt trotters with Muscle Mountain and was second in the other Simpson colt trot split with Corky.
Richard Gutnick picked up 22.5 points to top the owner’s parade for the week. Gutnick’s Modest Prince was a winner in 1:56.1 over Corky in their John Simpson Stakes division for three-year-old colt trotters.
Grand Circuit Standings: In 2013, the Grand Circuit leaders in three categories (driver, trainer and owner) will 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). Hanover Shoe Farms is the sponsor for the 2013 Grand Circuit awards.
Here are the leaders following the past weekend:
Drivers: 1. Yannick Gingras – 322; 2. Tim Tetrick – 232; 3. Brian Sears – 159.5; 4. David Miller – 89; and 5. Andy Miller –75.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 356; 2. PJ Fraley – 83; 3. Mark Harder – 71.5; 4. Amber Buter – 57; and 5. Chris Ryder - 55.
Owners: 1. Burke Racing – 85.15; 2. Weaver Bruscemi – 82.45; 3. Joie De Vie Farms – 45; 4. Our Horse Cents Stable – 44.7; and 5. Bamond Racing – 44.5.
Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will take place at four different racetracks next weekend. The Raceway at Western Fair District will host the Molson Pace Prep on Friday (May 24); Hoosier Park offers the Dan Patch Invitational on Saturday (May 25); Yonkers Raceway offers eliminations in the Art Rooney and Lismore on Saturday (May 25); and Harrah's Philadelphia will hold the Betsy Ross for pacing mares and the Maxie Lee Memorial for trotters on Sunday (May 26).
(Grand Circuit)