The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly recap and preview of Grand Circuit races.
THIS WEEK: Ben Franklin Pace, Earl Beal Jr. Memorial, Max C. Hempt Memorial and James M. Lynch Memorial finals, The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; Cleveland Trotting Classic, Northfield Park, Northfield, Ohio; Tompkins-Geers, Tioga Downs, Nichols, N.Y.; and Graduate Series, Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, N.J.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: The Grand Circuit spotlight will once again be on The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono this Saturday night (June 29), as the track will host four lucrative Sun Stakes finals in the $500,000 Ben Franklin for older pacers, the $500,000 Earl Beal Jr. Memorial for three-year-old trotters, the $500,000 Max C. Hempt Memorial for three-year-old male pacers and the $300,000 James M. Lynch Memorial for three-year-old filly pacers.
Also on Saturday, Northfield Park will host the $175,000 Cleveland Trotting Classic for three-year-olds.
On Friday (June 28), Tioga Downs will card the $73,000 Tompkins-Geers for three-year-old male pacers and two $33,750 divisions in the Tompkins-Geers for three-year-old filly pacers.
Also on Friday, Meadowlands Racetrack will feature two $50,000 divisions in the fourth leg of the Graduate Series for four-year-old open pacers.
LAST TIME: Atlanta and Fiftydallarbill were the impressive winners of the fourth and final leg of the Graduate Series for four-year-old trotters at the Meadowlands Friday night (June 21). The finals for both pacers and trotters take place on July 6 at the ‘Big M.’ To read a recap from the June 21 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:
DRIVERS: 1. Tim Tetrick – 329; 2. Yannick Gingras – 199; 3. Jason Bartlett – 154; 4. Dexter Dunn – 141; 5 – Daniel Dube – 131.
TRAINERS: 1. Ron Burke – 226; 2. Jim King Jr. – 189; 3. Tony Alagna – 128; 4. Rene Allard – 92; 5. Richard Banca – 71.
OWNERS: 1. Jo Ann Looney-King – 68.6; 2. Tim Tetrick LLC – 65.1; 3. Brad Grant – 57.6; 4. Richard Poillucci – 55.1; 5. J L Benson Stables – 53.2.
LOOKING AHEAD: Grand Circuit action will be taking place next week at Historic Track, Meadowlands Racetrack, and Yonkers Raceway. Historic Track will feature eight Landmark Stakes for two- and three-year-olds of both sexes and gaits. The Meadowlands will host the Graduate Series finals for four-year-old pacers and trotters, Meadowlands Pace eliminations for three-year-olds, a Reynolds division for three-year-old filly trotters, and the first leg of the Kindergarten Series for two-year-old colt and filly pacers. Yonkers features Lawrence Sheppard eliminations for two-year-old pacers.
(With files from the Grand Circuit)