by Paul Ramlow, publicity director, the Grand Circuit
This Week: Breeders Crown eliminations, Hoosier Park, Anderson, Ind.
Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit heads to Hoosier Park this Friday (Oct. 20) and Saturday (Oct. 21) for Breeders Crown eliminations in 11 divisions. Eliminations will not be required for the mare trot.
The Friday card features a pair of $25,000 eliminations in the mare pace, single $25,000 eliminations in the 3-year-old filly pace and 3-year-old filly trot, and two $20,000 eliminations in the 2-year-old filly pace and 2-year-old filly trot.
The Saturday card features a trio of $25,000 eliminations in the 3-year-old colt trot, two $25,000 eliminations in the Open Trot, Open Pace, and 3-year-old colt pace, three $20,000 eliminations in the 2-year-old colt pace, and two $20,000 eliminations in the 2-year-old colt trot.
Complete entries for the races are available at this link.
Last time: Twister Bi assumed control from fellow world champion Resolve, then put on a trotting showcase in the $1 million Yonkers International Trot. The 5-year-old stallion stopped the clock in a world record 2:22.1 at Yonkers Raceway on Saturday (Oct. 14), 5-1/2 lengths in front of the field.
Trainer Jerry Riordan said, “I just wanted everyone to see how good he really is.”
They most certainly did.
Defending champion Resolve (Åke Svanstedt) assumed the lead as the field of 10 very established rivals left the gate with Italian representatives Oasis Bi (Kim Eriksson) and Twister Bi (Christoffer Eriksson) following his lead.
Oasis Bi made a menacing move to take command, but it truly was all Twister Bi. Once the stallion was provided his cue, the other nine horses were only trotting for minor awards.
As Twister Bi continued to roll home unopposed in any way, 2016 Triple Crown victor Marion Marauder (Scott Zeron) advanced to head off Oasis Bi for second as they crossed the wire.
A son of the incomparable Varenne, Twister Bi is owned by Pasquale Ciccarelli and now possesses 21 triumphs in 50 career trips to the post after competing with the best Europe has to offer. He is also the latest millionaire on American soil.
Complete recaps of all the races are available at the Grand Circuit website.
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 Oct. 14.
Drivers: 1. Yannick Gingras – 1,334.5; 2. David Miller – 1,139; 3. Tim Tetrick – 938; 4. Scott Zeron – 640; 5. Corey Callahan – 465.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 1,208.5; 2. Jimmy Takter – 1,092.5; 3. John Butenschoen – 458; 4. Brian Brown – 430; 5. Erv Miller – 364.
Owners: 1. Burke Racing Stable – 285.2; 2. Weaver Bruscemi – 248.9; 3. Determination – 244; 4. Emerald Highlands Farm – 230; 5. Ken Jacobs – 182.
Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will once again take place next week at Hoosier Park with Breeders Crown finals in all 12 categories (2- and 3-year-old colt and filly pacers and trotters and older horse and mare pacers and trotters). Hoosier will also host four Pegasus divisions for 3-year-old colt and filly trotters and pacers. In addition, Vernon Downs will host a leg of the Kindergarten Series for 2-year-old pacers and trotters of both sexes.
- Four supplement to $6 million Breeders Crown events at Hoosier Park (Monday, October 16, 2017)
The connections of four of the top horses in their divisions — Funknwaffles, Homicide Hunter, International Moni and Sintra — have supplemented to their Breeders Crown events at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Oct. 28.
- Breeders Crown draws 166 in inaugural Hoosier Park event (Tuesday, October 17, 2017)
The $6 million Breeders Crown events at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino attracted 166 entries for the championship finals on Friday (Oct. 27) and Saturday (Oct. 28). Eliminations will be needed in every division with the exception of the $250,000 Mare Trot, which drew just five mares as defending Breeders Crown champion Hannelore Hanover opted in against the males in the $526,250 Open Trot.
- Four previous champions lead Breeders Crown female starters (Tuesday, October 17, 2017)
Four previous champions will be in action Friday (Oct. 20) as the road to this year’s Breeders Crown finals begins with eliminations for female trotters and pacers at Hoosier Park Casino & Racing. Eliminations for male trotters and pacers will be contested Saturday. Racing begins at 6:30 p.m. (EDT) both nights.
- Fear The Dragon leads male starters in Breeders Crown (Tuesday, October 17, 2017)
Breeders Crown eliminations for male pacers and trotters will be held Saturday (Oct. 21) at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, with harness racing’s No. 1-ranked star, Fear The Dragon, leading the way. Eliminations for female trotters and pacers will be contested Friday. Racing begins at 6:30 p.m. (EDT) both nights.
- Key seeks return to Breeders Crown winner’s circle (Wednesday, October 18, 2017)
Bob Key has been a longtime participant in the Breeders Crown and an ardent supporter of the Grand Circuit. He knows what it takes to win at the sport’s top level and appreciates the opportunities for success. “This is what you’re shooting for,” said the 84-year-old Key, who has won twice in the Breeders Crown series and sends three horses to this year’s event at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.
- Special Breeders Crown debut for John DeLong (Thursday, October 19, 2017)
When driver John DeLong makes his Breeders Crown debut Friday, it will be special. Of course, such an occurrence would be exceptional under any circumstances, but the fact his appearance will come with a homebred horse at his adopted hometown track makes the moment even more extraordinary. DeLong will drive Seventimesavirgin on Friday in the second of two Breeders Crown Mare Pace eliminations at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.
- Team effort helping Hoosier Park rise (Thursday, October 19, 2017)
The Hoosier State, known much more for hoops than hobbles, has everybody on board as Hoosier Park, not a major player in the sport historically, now has management, government, patrons and horsemen all on the same page, as the seven-eighths-mile track continues to make its way toward the sport’s mainstream.
- Pasithea Face scratched from Breeders Crown (Thursday, October 19, 2017)
It has been announced that Pasithea Face has been scratched from the $250,000 Breeders Crown Mare Trot.
- Lost In Time’s Breeders Crown appearance could bring restitution and retirement for Mulinix (Friday, October 20, 2017)
Lost In Time is certainly following in his world champion father’s hoofprints, as he hails from the same barn as A Rocknroll Dance, possesses a similar demeanor and has thrived in an identical program.