The Grand Circuit's weekly overview highlights its upcoming races at Yonkers Raceway, Northfield Park and Harrah's Philadelphia.
This Week: MGM Yonkers International Trot, Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, New York; Courageous Lady, MGM Northfield Park, Northfield, Ohio; and John Simpson Stakes, Harrah’s Philadelphia, Chester, Pennsylvania.
Schedule of Events: Grand Circuit action kicks off on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 15) at Yonkers Raceway with the $1 million MGM Yonkers International Trot for older trotters at Yonkers Raceway. France’s Etonnant, who earlier this year won the Elitloppet, drew post seven and was made the 5-2 morning-line favourite in the invitational event that will bring together 10 horses from seven countries at Yonkers Raceway.
On Saturday night, MGM Northfield Park will host the $100,000 Courageous Lady for three-year-old filly pacers. Captain Cowgirl will look to expand her three-race win streak in the by-invitation-only Grand Circuit event.
Harrah’s Philadelphia will feature two $46,100 divisions in the John Simpson Stakes for two-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 16).
Complete entries for the races are available on the USTA website by clicking here.
Last Time: He disappointed as the 3-5 choice in the Hambletonian two months ago, but Lucas Wallin trainee Rebuff landed retribution in the third jewel of trotting’s Triple Crown, the 130th edition of the $430,000 Kentucky Futurity, on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 9) at The Red Mile. To read the complete recap, click here.
For a list of 2022 race winners on the Grand Circuit, click here.
Grand Circuit Standings: In 2022, 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 2022 Grand Circuit awards.
Here are the leaders (through the races on Oct. 9, 2022):
Drivers: 1. Dexter Dunn – 1,328; 2. Tim Tetrick – 893; 3. Yannick Gingras – 876; 4. Todd McCarthy – 694; 5. David Miller – 682.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 757; 2. Tony Alagna – 652; 3. Ake Svanstedt – 594; 4. Brett Pelling – 439; 5. Marcus Melander – 406.
Owners: 1. David McDuffee – 180.9; 2. Caviart Farms – 166; 3. Brad Grant – 164; 4. Courant Inc. – 154; 5. Crawford Farms Racing – 141.6.
Looking Ahead: Grand Circuit action will take place next week at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Harrah’s Hoosier Park and Harrah’s Philadelphia. Mohawk will host Breeders Crown eliminations for two-year-olds, three-year-olds and older horses of both sexes and gaits. Hoosier Park will feature the Pegasus for three-year-olds of both sexes and gaits, and Philadelphia has John Simpson Stakes for two-year-old filly pacers, filly trotters and colt trotters.
(Grand Circuit)