The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly preview for the upcoming weekend's Grand Circuit races.
This Week: Lady Suffolk and Dexter Cup at Freehold Raceway in Freehold, New Jersey, and the Meadowlands Maturity and the John Simpson Memorial Stakes at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit at Freehold this week features the $139,600 Dexter Cup for three-year-old open trotters on Saturday (May 4) and the $40,900 Lady Suffolk for three-year-old filly trotters on Friday (May 3). Meadowlands Racetrack offers the $100,000 Meadowlands Maturity for four-year-old trotters and the $39,615 John Simpson Memorial for three-year-old colt pacers on Saturday (May 4) and the $38,415 John Simpson Memorial for three-year-old filly pacers on Friday (May 3).
Last time: The George Morton Levy Series for open pacers and Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for open pacing mares wrapped up this past weekend at Yonkers Raceway.
Pole-setting Razzle Dazzle (driven by Brian Sears) held off a stubborn Foiled Again (Yannick Gingras) to win the $450,000 final of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series. Razzle Dazzle won by a neck in 1:51.3. Versado (Andy Miller) ducked inside and was third -- beaten a length -- with Annieswesterncard and Casimir Jitterbug completing the cashers.
Feeling You (Tyler Buter) prevailed from the pocket in winning Yonkers Raceway's $285,000 final of the Blue Chip Matchmaker. Camille (Yannick Gingras) owned a length lead in and out of the final turn, but Anndrovette (Tim Tetrick) was relentless, while Feeling You awaited her close up. The latter lass edged inward, defeating a tenacious Anndrovette by a half-length in 1:52.4. Camille faded to third with Ramona Disomma and Krispy Apple grabbing the remainder.
The first Grand Circuit event of the season for three-year-old filly pacers was a wire-to-wire victory for Charisma Hanover in the $84,000 Courageous Lady this past Friday at Northfield Park. Charisma Hanover and driver Dave Palone won in 1:53. Trained by Ron Burke, Charisma Hanover was one and a quarter lengths in front at the finish and defeated Champagne Tonight and Carols Desire.
Grand Circuit Standings: In 2013, the Grand Circuit leaders in three categories (driver, trainer and owner) will 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). Hanover Shoe Farms is the sponsor for the 2013 Grand Circuit awards.
Here are the leaders following the past weekend:
Drivers: 1. Yannick Gingras – 255; 2. Tim Tetrick – 177; 3. Brian Sears – 159.5; 4. George Brennan – 74.5; and 5. Tyler Buter – 57.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 334; 2. PJ Fraley – 83; 3. Mark Harder – 61.5; 4. Amber Buter – 57; and 5. Mark Silva - 50.
Owners: 1. Burke Racing – 84.65; 2. Weaver Bruscemi – 81.95; 3. Bamond Racing – 44.5; 4. Ira Kristel – 40; and 5. Our Horse Cents Stable – 39.7.
Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will again take place next weekend at Meadowlands Racetrack, with the John Simpson Stakes for three-year-old colt and filly trotters, eliminations for the Arthur Cutler Memorial for older trotters and a leg of the Meadowlands FFA Series for open pacers.
(Grand Circuit)