The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly recap and preview of Grand Circuit races.
This Week: Jim Ewart Memorial and Charlie Hill, Scioto Downs, Columbus, Ohio; Simcoe Stakes, Champlain Stakes, Peaceful Way eliminations and William Wellwood Memorial eliminations, Woodbine Mohawk Park, Milton, Ont.; and Miss Versatility leg, Tioga Downs, Nichols, N.Y.
Schedule of Events: Grand Circuit action kicks off on Thursday (Sept. 5) at Mohawk Park with a pair of $30,000 eliminations in the Peaceful Way for two-year-old filly trotters. The Friday (Sept. 6) program offers two $30,000 eliminations in the William Wellwood Memorial for two-year-old colt trotters, the $174,503 Simcoe Stakes for three-year-old colt trotters and two divisions in the $171,057 Simcoe Stakes for three-year-old filly trotters. On Saturday (Sept. 7), there will be two divisions in the $189,597 Champlain Stakes for two-year-old filly pacers, two divisions in the $180,876 Champlain Stakes for two-year-old colt pacers and a single division in the $168,557 Simcoe Stakes for three-year-old filly pacers.
Grand Circuit racing at Tioga Downs will be held on Friday (Sept. 6) with a $40,000 leg of the Miss Versatility for trotting mares.
On Saturday (Sept. 7) Scioto Downs will host the $440,000 Jim Ewart Memorial for older pacers and the $220,000 Charlie Hill for older trotters.
Last Time: Yonkers Raceway hosted a pair of Triple Crown races on Saturday night (Aug. 31) in the $500,000 Yonkers Trot and the $500,000 Messenger Stake. Gimpanzee (driven by Brian Sears) rolled home to capture the Yonkers Trot in a North American record 1:53.3 and American Mercury went up the inside to best Bettors Wish in the Messenger Stake in 1:51.3. For complete recaps, 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 – 806; 2. Yannick Gingras – 611; 3. David Miller – 521; 4. Dexter Dunn – 479; 5. Brian Sears – 394.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 723; 2. Tony Alagna – 371; 3. Marcus Melander – 319; 4. Jim King Jr. – 299; 5. Ake Svanstedt – 293.
Owners: 1. Fashion Farms – 192; 2. Brad Grant – 142.1; 3. Burke Racing Stable – 134.6; 4. Courant Inc. – 132.5; 5. Weaver Bruscemi – 122.1.
Looking Ahead: Grand Circuit racing will be taking place next week at Mohawk and Tioga Downs. Mohawk will host the finals of the Peaceful Way and William Wellwood Memorial, as well as the Canadian Trotting Classic, the Elegantimage and eliminations in the Milton, Metro Pace, and Shes A Great Lady. Tioga Downs will card another leg of the Kindergarten Series for freshman trotters and pacers.
(With files from the Grand Circuit)