Grand Circuit Report: Week of September 12, 2010
September 13, 2010,by Paul Ramlow, Grand Circuit Publicity Director
This Week: The Grand Circuit is off this week. Racing will resume next week at the Delaware County Fair in Ohio.
Last time: Mark MacDonald, Ron Pierce and Brian Sears were the driving stars as the Grand Circuit concluded its stay at Mohawk Racetrack as each reinsman had a driving triple in stakes action.
MacDonald posted all three of his wins this past Saturday night (Sept. 11). He won the $240,457 Simcoe Stakes for 3-year-old colt pacers with Kyle Major, a $92,275 Champlain Stakes split for 2-year-old filly pacers with Pretty Katherine and a $90,336 Champlain Stakes division for 2-year-old filly pacers with Idyllic.
Pierce was behind Costa Rica in the $230,195 Simcoe Stakes for 3-year-old filly trotters, a $122,829 Simcoe Stakes division for 3-year-old colt trotters with Muscle Massive and a $94,174 Champlain Stakes division for 2-year-old filly trotters with Global Desire.
Sears was in victory lane in a $137,265 Champlain Stakes split for 2-year-old colt pacers with Roll With Joe, a $122,829 Simcoe Stakes division for 3-year-old colt trotters with Break The Bank K and a $90,336 Champlain Stakes split for 2-year-old filly pacers with Modern Connection.
Grand Circuit Driving Standings: Tim Tetrick continues to lead the Grand Circuit driving standings with 16 victories in 2010. Brian Sears is in second place with 13 winners. John Campbell, Jim Morrill, Jr. and Ron Pierce are tied for third place, with 11 victories apiece. Yannick Gingras and David Miller share sixth place, each with 10 winners. Dave Palone holds down eighth place with seven triumphs. George Brennan is ninth with six winners. Mike Lachance, Ray Schnittker and Brandon Simpson are tied for tenth place, each with five winning drives.
Looking ahead: The Grand Circuit takes this week off before returning to Ohio and the Delaware County Fair on Sunday, Sept. 19. Featured at Delaware will be the $650,000 (est.) Little Brown Jug, the second leg of Pacing’s Triple Crown for 3-year-olds, which will be contested on Thursday, Sept. 23.