With cancellation of Cleveland Classic, Grand Circuit season comes to a close
December 10, 2014,by Paul Ramlow, publicity director, The Grand Circuit
This Week: Cleveland Classic, Northfield Park, Northfield, Ohio
Schedule of events: The final Grand Circuit race of the 2014 season was to be at Northfield Park this Friday (Dec. 12) as the Northeast Ohio oval was to host the $150,000 Cleveland Classic for 3-year-old male pacers.
However, only five sophomore pacers entered for the $150,000 guaranteed purse and the race was canceled. Their ownerships will each receive a check in excess of $17,000 for entering.
Last time: Hall of Famer David Miller guided McWicked to a 1:48.4 victory this past Sunday (Dec. 7) in the $301,560 Progress Pace for 3-year-old male pacers at Dover Downs.
Paying a $25,000 supplemental fee paid off for owner Ed James’ S S G Stables as McWicked swept both the $35,000 Progress Pace Preview and the $301,560 final in identical clockings of 1:48.4, but the manner of victories varied.
After a near wire-to-wire success the prior week, this time Miller drove the McArdle-Western Sahara colt out of third approaching the half and then sided-up to leader JK Endofanera, driven by Yannick Gingras, on the backstretch. They battled around the final turn before McWicked pulled away early in the stretch for his 12th win of the year, raising his seasonal bankroll to $1,472,937 and $1,652,554 for his two seasons of racing. JK Endofanera was 1-1/4 lengths back in second with Tim Tetrick rallying Somewhere In L A for third money.
Complete recaps of all the races are available at the Grand Circuit website.
Grand Circuit Standings: In 2014, 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 2014 Grand Circuit awards.
Here are the final standings for the 2014 season:
Drivers: 1. Yannick Gingras – 2,287; 2. Tim Tetrick – 1,182; 3. David Miller – 1,023.5; 4. Ron Pierce – 877.5; 5. Corey Callahan – 647.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 2,490.5; 2. Jimmy Takter – 1,913; 3. Erv Miller – 446.5; 4. Joe Holloway – 411; 5. Julie Miller – 347.
Owners: 1. Burke Racing – 550.03; 2. Weaver Bruscemi – 500.03; 3. 3 Brothers Stable – 367; 4. Brittany Farms – 294.45; 5. Robert Key –272.
Looking ahead: The 2014 Grand Circuit season has concluded; the 2015 Grand Circuit schedule will be released in January.