The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly recap and preview of racing on the Grand Circuit.
This Week: Delvin Miller Adios, Adioo Volo and Arden Downs, the Meadows, Washington, Pa. and Hambletonian, Peter Haughton Memorial and Jim Doherty Memorial eliminations, Tompkins-Geers and Miss Versatility, Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, NJ.
Schedule of Events: Grand Circuit action begins this Wednesday (July 29) at the Meadows with two divisions in the $38,244 Arden Downs for two-year-old filly trotters and two divisions in the $37,644 Arden Downs for two-year-old colt trotters.
The Saturday (August 1) card at the Meadows features the $375,000 Delvin Miller Adios for three-year-old male pacers and also includes the $107,320 Quinton Patterson Adioo Volo for three-year-old filly pacers, three divisions in the $59,688 Arden Downs for freshman colt and gelding pacers, and the $35,690 Arden Downs for two-year-old filly pacers.
Grand Circuit racing at the Meadowlands begins on Friday (July 31) with two $20,000 eliminations in the Jim Doherty Memorial for two-year-old filly trotters and a single $20,000 elimination in the Peter Haughton Memorial for two-year-old colt trotters.
On Saturday (Aug. 1), The Meadowlands will contest a pair of $50,000 Hambletonian eliminations for 3-year-old open trotters, plus the $84,800 Tompkins-Geers for 3-year-old colt pacers, the $53,100 Tompkins-Geers for 3-year-old filly pacers and the $40,000 fourth leg of the Miss Versatility for older trotting mares.
Last Time: Manchego put on a display of devastating speed in a gate-to-wire victory in the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot at Plainridge Park on Sunday (July 26) and set a new world record for older trotting mares over a five-eighths-mile track when she tripped the timer in 1:49.3. One race earlier, in the $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace, Shartin N made herself right at home again at Plainridge, as she broke the all-age track record of 1:49.1 that she set just last year. To read a complete recap, 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. Yannick Gingras – 217; 2. Brian Sears – 152; 3. Dexter Dunn – 117; 4. Andrew McCarthy – 110; 5. Tim Tetrick – 102.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 229; 2. Nancy Takter – 150; 3. Marcus Melander – 124; 4. Ake Svanstedt – 109; 5. Tony Alagna – 77.
Owners: 1. S R F Stable – 55; 2. Burke Racing Stable – 46.9; 3. Courant Inc. – 45; 4. Brad Grant – 41.1; 5. Weaver Bruscemi – 40.9.
Looking Ahead: Grand Circuit action will be taking place next weekend at Meadowlands Racetrack. The track will host 10 Grand Circuit events, led by the $1 million Hambletonian, the first leg of Trotting’s Triple Crown for three-year-olds, and the $300,000 Cane Pace, the first leg of Pacing’s Triple Crown for three-year-olds.
(With files from the Grand Circuit)