The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly recap and preview of Grand Circuit races.
This Week: Delaware Grand Circuit, Delaware County Fair, Delaware, Ohio; John Simpson Stakes, Harrah’s Philadelphia, Chester, Pa.; Centaur Trotting Classic, Hoosier Park Pacing Derby, Jennas Beach Boy, Kentuckiana Stallion Management Stakes, Moni Maker and The Elevation, Hoosier Park, Anderson, Ind.; and Metro and Shes A Great Lady, Mohawk Racetrack, Campbellville, Ontario.
Schedule of events: Grand Circuit action will kick into full gear on Wednesday (Sept. 20) at Delaware with the $279,250 Jugette for three-year-old filly pacers and the $80,575 Buckette for three-year-old filly trotters. The Thursday (Sept. 21) card at Delaware is highlighted by the $590,400 Little Brown Jug, the third leg of Pacing’s Triple Crown for three-year-olds. Also on tap that day is the $120,500 Miss Versatility final for older trotting mares, the $105,125 Old Oaken Bucket for three-year-old male trotters and the $52,200 Standardbred for two-year-old colt trotters. Standardbred events for two-year-old pacers and two-year-old filly trotters were contested earlier in the week.
The Harrah’s Philadelphia card on Wednesday will feature four $30,000 divisions in the John Simpson Stakes for three-year-old filly pacers and four $30,000 divisions in the John Simpson Stakes for three-year-old filly trotters.
Grand Circuit racing at Hoosier Park will be held on Friday (Sept. 22) with the $240,000 Centaur Trotting Classic for Open trotters, the $240,000 Kentuckiana Stallion Management stakes for two-year-old filly trotters, the $200,000 Kentuckiana Stallion Management stakes for two-year-old filly pacers, the $160,000 Hoosier Park Pacing Derby for Open pacers, the $160,000 Moni Maker for three-year-old filly trotters, the $160,000 Jenna’s Beach Boy for three-year-old colt pacers, and the $125,000 Elevation for two-year-old colt pacers.
Grand Circuit action at Mohawk will be held on Saturday (Sept. 23) with the $816,000 Metro final for two-year-old open pacers and the $500,000 Shes A Great Lady for two-year-old filly pacers.
Last time: The Grand Circuit spotlight was on Mohawk Racetrack this past Saturday, with the finals of four major stakes, led by the $486,260 Maple Leaf Trot for older trotters. Hannelore Hanover got her Maple Leaf Trot redemption with an impressive 1:51.1 victory.
The five-year-old trotting mare and driver Yannick Gingras seized the lead heading to the half and proceeded to trot away to a four and a half-length victory for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Frank Baldachino and J&T Silva Stables.
“When she’s like this, in North America anyway, I’ll take on any trotter,” said Gingras following Hannelore Hanover’s sensational performance.
JL Cruze shot out to grab the early lead and posted a snappy opening quarter of :26.2. Hannelore Hanover settled into third in the early going, while Gingras waited to make his move.
Hannelore Hanover came with a second quarter rush and secured the lead in time to post a half of :54.3. Odds On Amethyst came first up in the third quarter and got up to the wheel of the leader, but Gingras got a comfortable third quarter of :28.4 to lead at that station in 1:23.2.
In the stretch, Hannelore Hanover waved goodbye to her rivals and trotted home strongly in :27.4 for her biggest victory to date. JL Cruze finished second, while Pasithea Face, the other mare in the field, was third. The superfecta was completed by Warrawee Roo.
The victory is extra special for Hannelore Hanover’s connections after coming up just short in last year’s event.
“Last year she raced her heart out and was second to Resolve in a great race,” said co-owner Baldachino. “For her to come back a year later and actually win it, it’s real sweet and very special.”
A daughter of Swan For All, Hannelore Hanover is now six for 10 this season with $531,754 earned. The talented trotting mare surpassed $1.9 million in career earnings with her 32nd career win Saturday.
Hannelore Hanover’s Maple Leaf Trot victory is the first win in the event for driver Gingras and trainer Burke.
Grand Circuit Standings: In 2017, 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 2017 Grand Circuit awards.
Here are the leaders through and including the races on Sept. 16.
Drivers: 1. Yannick Gingras – 885; 2. David Miller – 689; 3. Tim Tetrick – 568; 4. Scott Zeron – 425; 5. Corey Callahan – 301.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 708.5; 2. Jimmy Takter – 658; 3. Brian Brown – 315; 4. Ake Svanstedt – 227; 5. John Butenschoen – 224.
Owners: 1. Emerald Highlands Farm – 175; 2. Burke Racing Stable – 168.8; 3. Determination – 164; 4. Diamond Creek Racing – 151.5; 5. Weaver Bruscemi – 141.7.
Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will be taking place next week at Lexington’s historic Red Mile. There will be eight Bluegrass stakes for two and three-year-olds of both sexes and gaits. Hollywood Dayton Raceway will also be hosting a pair of Grand Circuit events, the Dayton Pacing Derby and the Dayton Trotting Derby for older horses and Harrah’s Philadelphia will contest John Simpson Stakes for two-year-old pacers and trotters of both sexes.
(Grand Circuit)