The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly recap and preview of Grand Circuit races.
This Week: Delvin Miller Adios final, Adioo Volo and Arden Downs, The Meadows, Washington, Pa.; Hambletonian Oaks, Jim Doherty Memorial and Peter Haughton Memorial eliminations and Reynolds Memorial, Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, N.J.; and Spirit of Massachusetts and Clara Barton, Plainridge Racecourse, Plainville, Mass.
Schedule of Events: Grand Circuit action kicks off this Friday (July 26) at the Meadows as the track will feature three divisions in the $60,000 Arden Downs for two-year-old filly trotters and three divisions in the $60,000 Arden Downs for two-year-old colt trotters. The Saturday (July 27) card at the Meadows features the $400,000 Delvin Miller Adios final for three-year-old colt pacers, two divisions in the $120,000 Adioo Volo for three-year-old filly pacers, three divisions in the $63,000 Arden Downs for two-year-old colt pacers, two divisions in the $53,468 Arden Downs for three-year-old filly trotters, two divisions in the $47,970 Arden Downs for two-year-old filly pacers and a single $40,000 division in the Arden Downs for three-year-old colt trotters.
Meadowlands Racetrack will offer three sets of elimination races this week, with finals slated for the Hambletonian card of Saturday (Aug. 3). On Friday, the Meadowlands will host three $20,000 eliminations in the Jim Doherty Memorial for two-year-old filly trotters and two $20,000 eliminations in the Peter Haughton Memorial for two-year-old colt trotters. On Saturday the program will feature two $50,000 eliminations in the Hambletonian Oaks for three-year-old filly trotters as well as a single $81,200 W.N. Reynolds Memorial division for three-year-old male trotters.
Action concludes on Sunday (July 28) at Plainridge with the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts for older trotters and the $100,000 Clara Barton for older pacing mares.
Last Time: The betting public was all over This Is The Plan in Saturday’s $260,000 Joe Gerrity, Jr. Memorial Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel, but McWicked unleashed a strong, late rally and rained on his rival’s parade. To read a complete recap and watch a replay of the race, 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 – 527; 2. Yannick Gingras – 396; 3. Dexter Dunn – 257; 4. David Miller – 244; 5. Jason Bartlett – 226.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 443; 2. Tony Alagna – 237; 3. Jim King Jr. – 209; 4. Ake Svanstedt – 169; 5. Marcus Melander – 160.
Owners: 1. Fashion Farms – 112; 2. Brad Grant – 95.7; 3. Howard Taylor – 77.1; 4. Jo Ann Looney-King – 75.3; 5. Burke Racing Stable – 74.2.
Looking Ahead: Grand Circuit action will be taking place next weekend at Meadowlands Racetrack. The track will host ten Grand Circuit events, led by the $1 million Hambletonian, the first leg of Trotting’s Triple Crown for three-year-olds, and the $300,000 Cane Pace, the first leg of Pacing’s Triple Crown for three-year-olds.
(With files from the Grand Circuit)