The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly recap and preview of racing on the Grand Circuit.
This Week: Cutler Memorial and Graduate Series, the Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, NJ, and Currier & Ives, the Meadows, Washington, PA.
Schedule of Events: This week’s Grand Circuit racing will take place on Saturday (July 4) at the Meadowlands with the $170,900 Cutler Memorial for older trotters and three $50,000 divisions in the second leg of the Graduate Series for four-year-old open pacers. The mares Atlanta and Manchego will battle again as part of an 11-horse field in the Cutler.
Also on Saturday, the Meadows will host the $102,245 Currier & Ives for three-year-old open trotters and a pair of $32,297 divisions of the Currier & Ives for three-year-old trotting fillies.
Last Time: It wasn’t easy, but Gimpanzee came from well off the pace to win one of two $50,000 divisions of the Graduate Series’ second leg for four-year-old trotters on Saturday (June 27) at the Meadowlands in a lifetime-best 1:50.2. To read a recap of the race, click here.
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. Brian Sears – 40; 2. Tim Tetrick – 32; 3. Dexter Dunn – 27; 4t. Aaron Merriman – 20; 4t. Dave Palone – 20.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 55; 2. Marcus Melander – 34; 3t. Nifty Norman – 20; 3t. Norm Parker – 20; 5t. (seven trainers are tied with 10 points).
Owners: 1t. Burke Racing Stable – 11.3; 1t. J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby – 11.3; 1t. Weaver Bruscemi – 11.3. 4t. Black Horse Racing – 10; 4t. Oldford Racing – 10.
Looking Ahead: Grand Circuit action will be taking place next weekend at the Meadowlands. The July 10 Meadowlands program will feature the second leg of the Miss Versatility for older trotting mares, while the massive July 11 Meadowlands card will offer the finals of the Graduate Series for four-year-old pacers and trotters; Reynolds Memorial divisions for three-year-old trotters of both genders; and eliminations for the Meadowlands Pace.
(With files from the Grand Circuit)