by Paul Ramlow, publicity director, The Grand Circuit

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

Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit at Yonkers this week features two $40,000 divisions on Friday (March 27) in the second round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker series for open pacing mares. The Saturday (March 28) card at Yonkers will see four $50,000 divisions in the second 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: Trainer Jeff Bamond Jr. and driver Jason Bartlett were the stars in the opening round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy Series last weekend at Yonkers. For the weekend, Bamond earned a total of 39 Grand Circuit training points and Bartlett posted 34 driving points.

Bamond and Bartlett kicked things off on March 20 by teaming up to capture a Blue Chip Matchmaker division with Venus Delight. Bamond also won another Matchmaker split with Krispy Apple with Tim Tetrick in the bike.

Sean Hamrock photo

P H Supercam edged Foiled Again at the wire in their Levy division.

Then on March 21 in the George Morton Levy series, the Bamond/Bartlett duo were back in the winner’s circle with P H Supercam as they defeated Foiled Again by a head in a time of 1:53.

Foiled Again, rounding the bend toward $7 million and making his 225th lifetime start, was in play early from outside post position No. 7. He worked around the two inside numbers — 3-2 favorite P H Supercam and a bit-wide Apprentice Hanover (Jody Jamieson) — making the lead just past a :27.3 opening quarter-mile.

After a soft :56.4 intermission, Foiled Again found a seemingly-comfy 1:25 three-quarters, taking a 1-1/2 length lead into the lane. However, P H Supercam ducked inside and passed harness racing’s richest-ever horse late, winning by a hard-fought head in 1:53. Third went to Dancin Yankee, with Frankie’s Dragon and Apprentice Hanover settling for the remainder.

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

Grand Circuit Standings: In 2015, 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 2015 Grand Circuit awards.

Here are the leaders following the opening weekend at Yonkers:

Drivers: 1. Jason Bartlett – 34; 2. Yannick Gingras – 27; 3t. George Brennan – 20; 3t. Daniel Dube – 20; 5. Tim Tetrick – 14.

Trainers: 1. Jeff Bamond Jr. – 39; 2. Ron Burke – 37; 3t. Mark Ford – 10; 3t. Rene Allard – 10; 3t. Mark Silva – 10; 3t.Tony O’Sullivan – 10.

Owners: 1. Bamond Racing – 33; 2. Jeff Snyder – 10; 3t. Burke Racing – 8.90; 3t. Weaver Bruscemi – 8.90; 5. Joseph Davino – 6.

Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will continue with legs of the Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy over the first three weekends in April. The finals and consolations for both events will be held on April 25.