This Week: The 2019 Grand Circuit season has come to a close. The 2020 schedule will be released in January.

Last time: After working to catch cover up the far side, Shake That House ($20.20) vaulted three-wide off the final turn to collar Captain Crunch in the $335,000 Hap Hansen Progress Pace final for 3-year-old colts and geldings on Wednesday night (Nov. 27) at Dover Downs.

Shake That House tracked down Captain Crunch to prevail by a widening neck in 1:50.1. Fotowon photo.

The sophomore son of American Ideal landed in sixth early while 3-5 favorite Captain Crunch (Yannick Gingras) worked to clear American Mercury (Tyler Buter) through a :26 first quarter. As Captain Crunch, who won the elimination heat, sped along through a :53.4 half, Tim Tetrick angled Shake That House third-over — but the pair lost their cover upon reaching the backstretch.

While the first-over Dancin Lou (Andy McCarthy) sustained gradual headway up the far side, the second-over Semi Tough (David Miller) angled back to the pegs upon straightening, forcing Shake That House to close a three-length gap in the outer tier into a 1:21 third split.

Despite the extra work he endured, Shake That House had ample energy to swing three-wide around a stalled Dancin Lou well above the eighth pole and tracked down Captain Crunch to prevail by a widening neck in 1:50.1. U S Captain (Dexter Dunn), who was locked in from mid-division, rallied up the open stretch to take third.

Shake That House, who also won the Max Hempt Memorial at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in June, eclipsed the $500,000 mark in seasonal earnings with the 10th victory of his career. Chris Oakes trains Shake That House for Crawford Farms Racing, Alan Johnston and the Northfork Racing Stable.

Complete recaps of all the races are available at the Grand Circuit website.

Grand Circuit Standings: In 2019, 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 2019 Grand Circuit awards.

Here are the final leaders.

Drivers: 1. Tim Tetrick – 1,416.5; 2. Yannick Gingras – 1,373; 3. Dexter Dunn – 1,054; 4. David Miller – 960; 5. Andrew McCarthy – 828.

Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 1,322; 2. Tony Alagna – 892; 3. Nancy Johansson – 727; 4. Ake Svanstedt – 677; 5. Marcus Melander – 628.

Owners: 1. Courant Inc. – 289.5; 2. Brad Grant – 273; 3. Burke Racing Stable – 242.5; 4. Robert Key – 226; 5. Fashion Farms – 224.5.

Looking ahead: The 2020 Grand Circuit schedule will be released in January.