The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly recap and preview of Grand Circuit races.
This Week: Fall Four finals, Woodbine Racetrack, Toronto, Ont., and Progress Pace eliminations, Dover Downs, Dover, Del.
Schedule of Events: The Grand Circuit returns to Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday (Nov. 19) with the Fall Four finals for two-year-old pacers and trotters. On tap will be the $520,000 Governor’s Cup for pacing colts, the $447,000 Goldsmith Maid for filly trotters, the $427,000 Three Diamonds for pacing fillies and the $404,000 Valley Victory for colt trotters.
On Monday (Nov. 21), Dover Downs will host $35,000 eliminations in the Progress Pace for three-year-old colt pacers. The $300,000 (est.) Progress Pace final will be held on November 28.
Last Time: Always B Miki will always be remembered as a champion. The fastest pacer in the history of harness racing capped his career in triumphant fashion, using a sustained first-over bid to overpower All Bets Off and sprint off to a 1:48.2 victory in the $400,000 TVG Free For All Pace on Saturday evening (Nov. 12) at The Meadowlands.
Obrigado, one of two of the eight in the $400,000 TVG Free For All Trot to have not contested a Breeders Crown event two weeks ago, sought control of the terms early and dug in to parry a barrage of pressure in a compelling race, which saw the entire octet covered by two lengths at the winning post in 1:52.4.
In the $200,000 TVG for trotting mares, Hannelore Hanover rallied from off the pace to once again defeat Bee A Magician, vaulting home and reeling in the quadruple millionaire for a 1:51.4 score. Lady Shadow used nearly identical tactics as Always B Miki en route to her 1:50 win in the $200,000 TVG for pacing mares, grinding down rival Solar Sister and evading the late-emerging Bedroomconfessions by one and a half lengths.
Complete recaps and replays of all the races are available here.
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 – 1,660.5; 2. David Miller – 1,325; 3. Tim Tetrick – 1,231.5; 4. Scott Zeron – 641.5; 5. Brett Miller – 609.5.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 1,576.5; 2. Jimmy Takter – 1,498.5; 3. Tony Alagna – 608; 4. Ake Svanstedt – 491; 5. Erv Miller – 477.
Owners: 1. Burke Racing Stable – 357.42; 2. Weaver Bruscemi – 294.17; 3. Marvin Katz – 280.8; 4. Tom Hill – 249; 5. Al Libfeld – 226.8.
Looking Ahead: The 2016 Grand Circuit season will conclude after Thanksgiving with the Progress Pace at Dover Downs and the Courageous Lady for three-year-old pacing fillies at Northfield Park.
(With files from Grand Circuit)