Tioga Downs will host an exciting day of Grand Circuit stakes racing this coming Sunday (August 16), as nearly a half million dollars in purses will be up for grabs for many of North America's top Standardbreds.
The entries for Sunday's races can be found on the USTA website (ustrotting.com).
The Crawford Farms Open Trotting Stake will see ten of the finest older trotters battle for a purse of $220,000. The field is led by last week's Cashman Memorial winner, Gimpanzee, who currently sits atop the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown Poll.
Trotting mares will compete in the $133,000 Joie De Vie, where Manchego will be seeking to avenge her loss in the Steele Memorial, as she will be taking on new rival When Dovescry.
Shartin N will be defending her Artiscape crown, and will be facing six talented rivals for $129,000.
The Empire Breeders Classic three-year-old pacing stakes saw 13 fillies enter and will require a pair of $12,500 elimination races on Sunday. The top nine will return the following Sunday for the $223,450 final.
The EBC Colt pace drew 10 horses, and per the stakes conditions will not require an elimination. All 10 colts will race in the final on Sunday, August 23 for a purse of $240,600.
The colt stake was drawn Wednesday, and the results of the draw appears below.
(Post - Horse - Listed Driver - Trainer)
1 - Splash Brother - T. Buter - R. Schnittker
2 - Genius Man - M. Miller - E. Miller
3 - Roll With JR - T. Buter - J. Cullipher
4 - Save Me A Dance - J. Bartlett- A. Harris
5 - Uhtred - J. Morrill - C. Auciello
6 - Blank Stare - C. Callahan - J. Butenschoen
7 - Groovy Joe - M. Kakaley - B. MacIntosh
8 - Ideal Perception - J. Bartlett - A. Harris
9 - Tint Of Mint - TBA - J. Byron
10 - Major Betts - D. Dunn - M. Harder
(Tioga Downs)