The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its preview for upcoming Grand Circuit races.
This Week: Bluegrass Stakes and Allerage eliminations, Red Mile, Lexington, Ky., and Jim Ewart Memorial, Scioto Downs, Columbus, Ohio.
Schedule of events: Grand Circuit action kicks off on Thursday (Sept. 25) at the Red Mile with four divisions in the $336,000 Bluegrass for two-year-old filly trotters. The Friday (Sept. 26) card features five divisions in the $393,000 Bluegrass for two-year-old colt trotters and three divisions in the $287,600 Bluegrass for two-year-old filly pacers. On Saturday (Sept. 27), the Red Mile will offer a trio of Bluegrass events in the $400,000 (est.) two-year-old colt pace, the $200,000 (est.) thee-year-old colt pace and the $200,000 (est.) three-year-old filly pace. The opening week concludes on Sunday (Sept. 28) with $200,000 (est.) Bluegrass races for three-year-old colt trotters and three-year-old filly trotters, as well as $10,000 eliminations in the Allerage for open pacers and open trotters.
Scioto Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 27) will host the $200,000 Jim Ewart Memorial for open pacers, as part of Ohio Super Night, which will also feature eight Ohio Sire Stakes finals for two and three-year-old pacers and trotters.
Last time: The Grand Circuit spotlight was on the Delaware (Ohio) County Fair this past week, with the $647,500 Little Brown Jug leading two days of exciting stakes races.
Limelight Beach entered the Jug for three-year-old pacers winless in 12 starts this year, but the past meant nothing at the Delaware County Fair. Limelight Beach swept two heats to capture the Jug trophy, winning his elimination in 1:51 and taking the final in 1:50.4.
The victory gave trainer Ron Burke and driver Yannick Gingras their first Jug champion. Limelight Beach won the 69th Little Brown Jug, presented by Fazoli’s, by one and a half lengths over Lets Drink On It, with Gingras pumping his fist triumphantly at the wire.
Limelight Beach drew Post 1 for the second heat and took advantage of the starting spot, blasting to the front and controlling the action from there. Lets Drink On It and driver Tyler Smith, who won the Jug’s other first-round elimination, got away second from Post 2, but would get no closer the rest of the way.
Lets Drink On It ended up second. Somewhere In L A – who tried to collar Limelight Beach with a first-over move on the backstretch – finished third and At Press Time was fourth.
Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, M1 Stable and Wingfield Brothers share ownership of Limelight Beach, a son of Somebeachsomewhere out of the mare Benear.
In other Grand Circuit action over the weekend, the sport’s top trotters were showcased in the $238,500 Centaur Trotting Classic at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Sept. 20. Master Of Law pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season as he was able to wear down the overwhelmingly-favoured Sebastian K late in the stretch. Driven by trainer Jimmy Takter, Master Of Law was able to close off cover to win at 21-1 odds in 1:54.2 over a track rated ‘good.’
Tipping three-wide late in the lane, Master Of Law surged past his rivals and coasted to the wire to finish two lengths in front of Creatine. Natural Herbie held on gamely to round out the trifecta, while Sebastian K faded late in the stretch to finish seventh.
Dismissed at the betting windows, Master Of Law returned $44.00 for the victory.
Master Of Law, who has now won three of six seasonal outings, is owned by Lindy Racing Stable, Brittany Farms, Adam Victor & Son Stable, and Christina Takter. The gelded son of Deweycheatumnhowe-Posses The Magic has now won nine of 17 lifetime outings and pushed his career bankroll to $331,753.
Yannick Gingras put on a driving clinic at his home track at the Hippodrome 3R Sept. 21, winning four of the 10 races including the revival of the prestigious Prix D’Ete Pace with Sunfire Blue Chip for a purse of $182,000.
By the top of the stretch, Gingras had the lead for good with Sunfire Blue Chip and they went on to win by two and a half lengths in 1:50.3. Local favourite Due DOrleans (driven by Daniel Dube) closed well to be second with Apprentice Hanover (Jody Jamieson) third.
It was the fifth straight win for Sunfire Blue Chip. The four-year-old son of American Ideal is trained by Jimmy Takter and is owned by Christina Takter, John and Jim Fielding, Brixton Medical Ab and R A W Equine, Inc. Sent off as the 3-2 wagering favourite, Sunfire Blue Chip paid $5.00 to win.
Grand Circuit Standings: In 2014, 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 2014 Grand Circuit awards.
Here are the leaders following the past weekend.
Drivers: 1. Yannick Gingras – 1,225; 2. Tim Tetrick – 670; 3. David Miller – 565.5; 4. Ron Pierce – 465.5; 5. Corey Callahan – 371.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 1,470.5; 2. Jimmy Takter – 977; 3. Erv Miller – 276.5; 4. Tony Alagna – 260: 5. Joe Holloway – 244.
Owners: 1. Burke Racing - 328.85; 2. Weaver Bruscemi – 301.35; 3. Robert Key – 210; 4. 3 Brothers Stable – 207; 5. Brittany Farms – 181.
Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will be taking place next week in one location, Lexington’s historic Red Mile. Featured will be the Kentucky Futurity, the second leg of Trotting’s Triple Crown for three-year-olds. Also on tap will be the companion Kentucky Filly Futurity for the sophomore fillies, the Tattersalls Pace and the Glen Garnsey Memorial for three-year-old pacers, four International Stallion Stakes races for two-year-olds of both sexes and gaits, and four Allerage contests for open pacers and trotters.
(Grand Circuit)