The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly recap and preview of racing on the Grand Circuit.
This Week: Hambletonian, Hambletonian Oaks, John Cashman Memorial, Sam McKee Memorial, Lady Liberty, Dr. John Steele Memorial, Cane Pace, Shady Daisy, Peter Haughton Memorial, and Jim Doherty Memorial, Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, N.J.
Schedule of Events: Grand Circuit action takes place this Saturday (Aug. 8) at Meadowlands Racetrack with one of the biggest Grand Circuit cards of the season. The afternoon program is led by the $1 million Hambletonian, the first leg of trotting’s Triple Crown for three-year-olds.
Other major stakes races to be contested that day are the $600,000 Hambletonian Oaks for three-year-old filly trotters, the $284,200 John Cashman Memorial for older trotters, the $229,660 Sam McKee Memorial for older pacers, the $177,100 Lady Liberty for older pacing mares, the $166,550 Dr. John Steele Memorial for older trotting mares, the $273,125 Cane Pace, the first leg of Pacing’s Triple Crown for three-year-olds, the $90,525 Shady Daisy for three-year-old pacing fillies, the $319,000 Peter Haughton Memorial for two-year-old colt trotters, and the $350,300 Jim Doherty Memorial for two-year-old filly trotters.
Last Time: Catch The Fire hung tough against a host of pursuers on Saturday (August 1) to capture the $375,000 final of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids at The Meadows and provide an indelible career highlight for trainer John Ackley and driver Mike Wilder. To watch the replay and 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 – 277; 2. Tim Tetrick – 189; 3. Dexter Dunn – 174; 4. Andrew McCarthy – 167; 5. Brian Sears – 154.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 301; 2. Nancy Takter – 190; 3. Marcus Melander – 158; 4. Ake Svanstedt – 144; 5. Tony Alagna – 127.
Owners: 1. Burke Racing Stable – 62.5; 2. S R F Stable – 60; 3. Brad Grant – 58.6; 4. Weaver Bruscemi – 51; 5. Black Horse Racing – 50.
Looking Ahead: Grand Circuit action will be taking place next week at Northfield Park with the Carl Milstein Memorial for three-year-old pacers; at Hoosier Park with the Dan Patch for free for all pacers; at the Indiana State Fair with the Fox Stake highlighting 10 stakes; at Tioga Downs with the Crawford Farm and Joie De Vie for older trotters and Artiscape for older pacing mares; at the Meadows with the Arden Downs for three-year-old colt trotters; and at Charlottetown Driving Park with the Gold Cup and Saucer eliminations for older pacers.
(With files from the Grand Circuit)