The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly recap and preview of racing on the Grand Circuit.
This Week: North America Cup, Fan Hanover, Armbro Flight, Roses Are Red, Nassagaweya, Eternal Camnation, Casual Breeze, Champlain and Goodtimes eliminations, Woodbine Mohawk Park, Milton, Ont.
Schedule of Events: A busy weekend of Grand Circuit action at Woodbine Mohawk Park kicks off this Thursday (Aug. 27) with two divisions in the $187,519 Champlain Stakes for two-year-old colt trotters and two divisions in the $172,329 Champlain Stakes for two-year-old filly trotters.
On Friday (Aug. 28), Mohawk Park features two divisions in the $162,811 Casual Breeze for three-year-old filly trotters and a pair of $30,000 eliminations in the Goodtimes for three-year-old colt trotters.
The Saturday (Aug. 29) Mohawk Park card is led by the $1 million North America Cup final for three-year-old male pacers. Also on the program will be the $400,000 Fan Hanover final for three-year-old filly pacers, the $290,000 Roses Are Red for older pacing mares, the $220,000 Armbro Flight for older trotting mares, two divisions in the $234,058 Nassagaweya for two-year-old colt pacers and three divisions in the $214,914 Eternal Camnation for two-year-old pacing fillies.
Last Time: A break in stride by Sorella quashed the chances of a showdown between the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks winners in the $160,140 Harry M. Zweig Memorial for three-year-old trotting fillies on Friday (Aug. 21) at Vernon Downs. But Ramona Hill ($2.40), the 2020 Hambletonian winner, added another jewel to her crown with a 1:52 score in the 'Miracle Mile’s signature distaff event, while Hambletonian runner-up Ready For Moni captured the $330,000 Zweig three-year-old open division. For more, 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 – 347; 2. Tim Tetrick – 284; 3. Andrew McCarthy – 257; 4t. Dexter Dunn – 239; 4t. Brian Sears – 239.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 316; 2. Nancy Takter – 295; 3. Tony Alagna – 237; 4. Marcus Melander – 223; 5. Ake Svanstedt – 209.
Owners: 1. Brad Grant – 93.7; 2. S R F Stable – 87.5; 3. Courant Inc. – 82; 4. Crawford Farms Racing – 67.2; 5. Burke Racing Stable – 66.3.
Looking Ahead: Grand Circuit racing will be taking place next week at Woodbine Mohawk Park and Goshen Historic Track. Mohawk Park’s week will feature the Canadian Pacing Derby for older pacers, the Maple Leaf Trot for older trotters and the Goodtimes for three-year-old open trotters. Historic Track will host eight Landmark Stakes events for two- and three-year-olds.
(With files from the Grand Circuit)