Spotlight On The Grand Circuit

Published: September 30, 2020 11:31 am EDT

The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly recap and preview of racing on the Grand Circuit.

This Week: Bluegrass Stakes, the Red Mile, Lexington, Ky., and Dayton Pacing Derby, Dayton Trotting Derby, and Dayton Distaff Derby, Hollywood Dayton Raceway, Dayton, Ohio.

Schedule of Events: Grand Circuit action kicks off on Friday (Oct. 2) at the Red Mile and the Lexington oval will feature three divisions in the $316,300 Bluegrass for two-year-old colt trotters and two divisions in the $268,000 Bluegrass for two-year-old filly pacers. On Saturday (Oct. 3), Red Mile will offer the $350,000 (est.) Bluegrass for two-year-old colt pacers and the $300,000 (est.) Bluegrass for two-year-old filly trotters. The first week of racing in Lexington will conclude on Sunday (Oct. 4) with $200,000 (est.) Bluegrass events for three-year-old male and female trotters and pacers.

Hollywood Dayton Raceway on Saturday night (Oct. 3) will feature a trio of Grand Circuit stakes in the $176,500 Dayton Pacing Derby for open pacers, the $175,000 Dayton Trotting Derby for open trotters and the $175,000 Dayton Distaff Derby for female pacers.

Last Time: Venerate and driver Andrew McCarthy powered off cover at the head of the stretch to win the $1 million Mohawk Million on Saturday night (Sept. 26) at Woodbine Mohawk Park. To read a recap and view the replay, 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 – 645; 2. Andrew McCarthy – 414; 3. Dexter Dunn – 393; 4. Tim Tetrick – 336.5; 5. Bob McClure – 322.

Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 583; 2. Nancy Takter – 551.5; 3. Tony Alagna – 492; 4. Ake Svanstedt – 309; 5. Marcus Melander – 303.

Owners: 1. Determination – 200; 2. Brad Grant – 160.1; 3. Caviart Farms – 152; 4. Burke Racing Stable – 135.8; 5. S R F Stable – 125.3.

Looking Ahead: Grand Circuit action will be taking place next week at Lexington’s historic Red Mile. Featured at Red Mile will be the Kentucky Futurity for three-year-old trotters, the companion Kentucky Filly Futurity for sophomore fillies, the Tattersalls Pace and the Glen Garnsey Memorial for three-year-old pacers, four International Stallion Stakes races for two-year-olds of both sexes and gaits, and four Allerage contests for open pacers and trotters.

(With files from the Grand Circuit)

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