by Paul Ramlow, publicity director, The Grand Circuit

This Week: Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy series third legs, Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, N.Y.

Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit at Yonkers this week features four $40,000 divisions on Friday (April 5) in the third round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker series for open pacing mares. The Saturday (April 6) card at Yonkers will see five $50,000 divisions in the third round of the George Morton Levy series for open pacers. Complete entries for the races can be found by clicking on this link.

Last time: The team of trainer Ron Burke and driver Yannick Gingras were once again the stars in the second round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy Series last weekend at Yonkers. Burke posted a total of 45 Grand Circuit points to lead all trainers, while Gingras led the drivers with 36 Grand Circuit points on the weekend. Frank Bellino led the owners at Yonkers, with 17.5 Grand Circuit points.

The team of Burke-Gingras won a division of the Blue Chip Matchmaker with repeat winner Camille and two divisions of the Levy behind Annieswesterncard and Something For Doc, who are also two-for-two in that series.

Owner Bellino also had a pair of winners in the Levy as Casimir Jitterbug won his split, while Classic Rock Nroll finished in a dead heat with Rockincam for win in their $50,000 division.

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

Grand Circuit Standings: In 2013, the Grand Circuit leaders in three categories (driver, trainer and owner) will 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). Hanover Shoe Farms is the sponsor for the 2013 Grand Circuit awards.

Here are the leaders following last weekend’s action at Yonkers:

Drivers: 1. Yannick Gingras – 102; 2. Brian Sears – 76.5; 3. Tim Tetrick – 76; 4. Matt Kakaley – 34; and 5. Eric Goodell – 29.5.

Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 121; 2. Mark Harder – 52.5; 3. PJ Fraley – 35; 4. Andrew Harris – 29; and 5. Tony O’Sullivan – 27.

Owners: 1. Our Horse Cents Stable – 25.7; 2. Burke Racing – 25.1; 3. Weaver Bruscemi – 24.4; 4t. KDM Stables Corp. – 20; 4t. Nina Simmonds – 20.

Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will continue with legs of the Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy over the next two weekends. The finals and consolations for both events will be held on April 27.