The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly preview for the upcoming weekend's Grand Circuit races.
This Week: Molson Pace Prep, The Raceway at Western Fair District, London, Ont.; Dan Patch Invitational, Hoosier Park, Anderson, Ind.; Art Rooney eliminations, Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, NY; and Betsy Ross and Maxie Lee Memorial, Harrah’s Philadelphia, Chester, Pa.
Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit will take place at four locations this weekend. Action begins on Friday (May 24) at The Raceway at the Western Fair District with the $13,200 Molson Pace Prep. The winner of that race will receive an invitation to the $150,000 Molson Pace on May 31.
Hoosier Park will host 10 of the top free for all pacers in the sport on Saturday (May 25) in the $200,000 Dan Patch, while on that same night Yonkers Raceway will hold a pair of $40,000 eliminations in the Art Rooney Pace for three-year-olds, with the first four finishers in each qualifying for the $275,000 final, set for next Saturday (June 1).
On Sunday afternoon (May 26), Harrah’s Philadelphia will host the $250,000 (est.) Betsy Ross for older female pacers and the $250,000 (est.) Maxie Lee Memorial for older trotters.
Last time: Yannick Gingras continued to extend his lead in the Grand Circuit driving standings as he posted 37.5 points this past weekend in Grand Circuit action at Meadowlands Racetrack and Woodbine Racetrack.
Gingras was in the winner’s circle at the Meadowlands behind Sweet Lou in the $100,000 Meadowlands Maturity for four-year-old pacers and finished in a dead heat for second with Wishing Stone in the $180,000 Arthur Cutler Memorial for older trotters.
Gingras had Sweet Lou in perfect second-over position for the drive home as Warrawee Needy slipped out of the pocket and they hit the wire together in 1:49. After a lengthy photo, Sweet Lou's number was posted for his first win of the campaign. Warrawee Needy saved the place position while Domethatagain was third.
The Cutler Memorial was a four-horse cavalry charge to the finish and at the wire it was Sevruga (Andy Miller) hanging on by a scant nose over a pair of dead heaters for the place, Guccio and Wishing Stone, with Modern Family also a nose back in fourth in a stakes record-equalling 1:51.
Then on Monday night at Woodbine, Gingras steered Maven, who lowered the Woodbine track record and equalled the Canadian record for older trotting mares by scoring in 1:52 in her $29,100 division of the Miss Versatility Series. Maven came first-over around the final turn and marched past One More Ginny down the stretch en route to a comfortable three and a quarter-length score. Personal Style was third.
In the second and final division of the Miss Versatility Series, Beatgoeson Hanover (David Miller) delivered as the heavy favourite in 1:55.3 over a 'sloppy' track. The daughter of Andover Hall came from off the pace to score her 23rd career tally. Bax Of Life finished second with Real Babe finishing third.
Ron Burke added 27.5 points to his leading Grand Circuit training totals thanks to his win with Sweet Lou in the Meadowlands Maturity and the share of second with Wishing Stone in the Cutler. Julie Miller picked up the 20 training points for winning the Cutler with Sevruga, while KDM Stables added the 20 points awarded to the winning owner.
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 – 359.5; 2. Tim Tetrick – 239; 3. Brian Sears – 159.5; 4. David Miller – 101; and 5. Andy Miller – 95.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 383.5; 2. PJ Fraley – 83; 3. Mark Harder – 73.5; 4. Jimmy Takter – 62.5; and 5. Amber Buter – 57.
Owners: 1. Burke Racing – 90.15; 2. Weaver Bruscemi – 87.45; 3. KDM Stables Corp. – 60; 4. Joie De Vie Farms – 45; and 5. Our Horse Cents Stable – 44.7.
Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will again take place at four different racetracks next weekend. The Raceway at the Western Fair District will host the Molson Pace on Friday (May 31); Yonkers Raceway offers the Art Rooney final and Lismore on Saturday (June 1); Meadowlands Racetrack has the Golden Girls and a leg of the TVG Open Pace on Saturday (June 1); and Mohawk Racetrack hosts the Somebeachsomewhere for three-year-old pacers on Saturday (June 1).
(Grand Circuit)