The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly recap and preview of Grand Circuit races.
This Week: Breeders Crown eliminations, Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, N.J.
Schedule of Events: The Grand Circuit heads to Meadowlands Racetrack this Friday (Oct. 21) and Saturday (Oct. 22) for Breeders Crown eliminations in nine divisions. Eliminations will not be required for the open pace, the open trot and the mare trot.
The Friday card features a pair of $25,000 eliminations in the mare pace and two $20,000 eliminations in the two-year-old filly trot. The Saturday card features a pair of $25,000 eliminations in the three-year-old colt pace, three-year-old filly pace, three-year-old colt trot and three-year-old filly trot, as well as a pair of $20,000 eliminations in the two-year-old colt pace, two-year-old filly pace and two-year-old colt trot.
Last Time: Resolve and trainer/driver Åke Svanstedt, representing the United States, staked out their spot on the lead early on and went 1-1/4 miles with no serious challenges to win the $1 million Yonkers International Trot on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 15) at Yonkers Raceway. The time of 2:23.4 was a stakes and North American race record for the distance on a half-mile track.
The field of 10 trotted off the gate with Oasis Bi of Italy briefly in the lead before Resolve took over that spot and held it to the :28.1 quarter-mile, on to the :57.1 half-mile, 1:26 three-quarters and 1:54.4 at the mile marker. Oasis Bi and driver Erik Adielsson gave futile chase throughout those fractions with Explosive De Vie (Sweden, Kevin Oscarsson) and Obrigado (United States, Mark MacDonald) behind him in pursuit.
The win, by one and a half lengths, was the 14th time the race has been won by the American representative since it was first contested in 1959. Oasis Bi was second and Flanagan Memory (Canada, Brian Sears) was third.
Resolve is owned by Hans Enggren and won for the fifth time this year, increasing his 2016 bankroll to $1,195,513 (U.S.). The five-year-old son of Muscle Hill has 15 career victories and $2,110,638 (U.S.) in lifetime winnings.
Grand Circuit Standings: In 2016, 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 Farm is the sponsor for the 2016 Grand Circuit awards.
Here are the current leaders:
Drivers: 1. Yannick Gingras – 1,306.5; 2. David Miller – 1,060; 3. Tim Tetrick – 988.5; 4. Scott Zeron – 533.5; 5. Brett Miller – 532.5.
Trainers: 1. Jimmy Takter – 1,217.5; 2. Ron Burke – 1,173.5; 3.Tony Alagna – 529; 4. Ake Svanstedt – 441; 5. Julie Miller – 355.
Owners: 1. Burke Racing Stable – 261.62; 2. Marvin Katz – 229.25; 3. Weaver Bruscemi – 219.27; 4. Tom Hill – 204; 5. Al Libfeld – 180.
Looking Ahead: Grand Circuit action will once again take place next week at Meadowlands Racetrack with Breeders Crown finals in all 12 categories (two and three-year-old colt and filly pacers and trotters, and older horse and mare pacers and trotters). The Meadowlands will also host a leg of the Kindergarten Series for two-year-old pacers and trotters of both sexes. Harrah’s Philadelphia (John Simpson Stakes for two-year-old colt and filly pacers and trotters) and Hoosier Park (Circle City for three-year-olds of both sexes and gaits and Madison County for two-year-olds of both sexes and gaits) will also be hosting Grand Circuit racing.
(With files from Grand Circuit)