The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its preview of this week’s Grand Circuit races.
This Week: Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy series opening legs, Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, N.Y. These are the opening events of the 2016 Grand Circuit season.
Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit at Yonkers features three $40,000 divisions on Friday (March 18) in the first round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker series for open pacing mares. The Saturday (March 19) card at Yonkers will see six $50,000 divisions in the opening round of the George Morton Levy series for open pacers.
There are 23 pacing mares entered in the first leg of the six-week Matchmaker event, which concludes on April 23. Defending series champ Venus Delight (to be driven by Jason Bartlett from Post 2) and runner-up Yagonnakissmeornot (Dan Dube, PP1) find themselves as next-door neighbours in the second division, with the former making her seasonal pari-mutuel debut.
The opening grouping includes Yonkers Open Handicap regular Regil Elektra (Tim Tetrick, PP3), the double-millionaire-in-waiting Krispy Apple (Bartlett, PP4) and a tested-for-class Hazmatt (Brian Sears), who goes after a sixth consecutive victory.
Friday night’s final Matchmaker event finds a couple of Breeders Crown finalists from a season ago in The Show Returns (Sears, PP5) and Lady Shadow (Corey Callahan, PP7), while For The Ladies N (Jordan Stratton) won last season's consolation of this series.
Saturday night’s (March 19) opening round of the Levy did the Matchmaker three better, with six $50,000 divisions with seven Free-For-Allers each.
Last season’ s series champ, Domethatagain (Dube), drew outside of the rivals in the second grouping, while 2014’s Levy winner, P H Supercam (Bartlett), finds himself stuck outside in the fifth event.
Take It Back Terry (George Brennan, PP3), bridesmaid to Domethatagain a season ago, landed Post 3 in the first division.
The final get-together figures to prove interesting, with recent local winners Bit Of A Legend N (Stratton. PP2), Lets Drink On It (Tyler Buter, PP4) and All Bets Off (Matt Kakaley, PP5) opposing one another.
Foiled Again, the now-12-year-old gelding, begins his quest for a third Levy title from Post 2 in the second division. It’s the 247th purse start for harness racing’s richest horse ($7.3 million), who gets regular date Yannick Gingras for the assignment. Foiled Again enters off a pair of seconds in Meadowlands qualifiers.
Grand Circuit Standings: In 2016, 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 2016 Grand Circuit awards.
Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will continue with legs of the Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy over the next four weekends. The finals and consolations for both events will be held on April 23.
(Grand Circuit)