The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly recap and preview of racing on the Grand Circuit.
This Week: Breeders Crown finals, Madison County and Pegasus, Harrah’s Hoosier Park, Anderson, Ind.; John Simpson Stakes, Harrah’s Philadelphia, Chester, Pa.; and Kindergarten Series fourth leg, the Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, N.J.
Schedule of Events: Grand Circuit action this week commences on Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 28) at Harrah’s Philadelphia with three divisions in the $99,201 John Simpson Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts and three divisions in the $99,201 John Simpson Stakes for three-year-old trotting colts.
Hoosier Park on Thursday (Oct. 29) will host the $70,000 Madison County for two-year-old trotting fillies.
Breeders Crown finals at Hoosier begin on Friday (Oct. 30) with $600,000 races for two-year-olds of both sexes and gaits. Also on Friday, Hoosier will contest the $60,000 Pegasus for three-year-old trotting fillies and the $50,000 Pegasus for three-year-old pacing fillies.
The Saturday (Oct. 31) card at Hoosier features four $500,000 Breeders Crown finals for three-year-olds of both sexes and gaits; the $500,000 Breeders Crown Open Pace and Open Trot; and the $300,000 Breeders Crown Open Mare Pace and Open Mare Trot. In addition, Hoosier will offer the $60,000 Pegasus for three-year-old pacing colts and the $55,000 Pegasus for three-year-old trotting colts.
The Meadowlands on Friday (Oct. 30) will host the fourth leg of the Kindergarten Series for two-year-olds of both sexes and gaits. There will be a pair of $20,000 divisions for the trotting colts and fillies and a single $20,000 division for the pacing colts and fillies.
Last Time: Charging to his 11th win of the season, Tall Dark Stranger and regular driver Yannick Gingras fought off a late charge by Warrawee Vital to win the second Breeders Crown elimination for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings in 1:48.4 on Saturday (Oct. 24) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. To read the recaps of last Friday and Saturday's Breeders Crown eliminations, click here and here, respectively.
Grand Circuit Standings: In 2020, 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 2020 Grand Circuit awards.
Here are the leaders following this past weekend:
Drivers: 1. Yannick Gingras – 1,026; 2. Dexter Dunn – 812; 3. Tim Tetrick – 620.5; 4. David Miller – 575; 5. Andrew McCarthy – 556.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 966; 2. Nancy Takter – 955.5; 3. Tony Alagna – 642; 4. Ake Svanstedt – 587; 5. Marcus Melander – 450.
Owners: 1. Caviart Farms – 211.4; 2. Burke Racing Stable – 209.1; 3. Determination – 200; 4. Brad Grant – 196.5; 5. S R F Stable – 182.3.
Looking Ahead: Grand Circuit action will take place next week at Dover Downs, Harrah’s Hoosier Park, and the Meadowlands. Dover Downs will feature the Matron Stakes for two-year-olds of both sexes and gaits. Harrah’s Hoosier Park will host the Carl Erskine, Monument Circle, Crossroads of America and USS Indianapolis for three-year-olds. The Meadowlands will feature the finals of the Kindergarten Series for two-year-olds of both sexes and gaits.
(With files from the Grand Circuit)