by Paul Ramlow, publicity director, The Grand Circuit

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

Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit at Yonkers this week features three $40,000 divisions on Friday (April 19) in the fifth round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker series for open pacing mares. The Saturday (April 20) card at Yonkers will see four $50,000 divisions in the fifth 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: Yannick Gingras posted four winners in Grand Circuit action this past weekend at Yonkers.

Sean Hamrock photo

Foiled Again was one of the six Grand Circuit winners sent postward last weekend by trainer Ron Burke.

Gingras captured divisions of the Blue Chip Matchmaker behind Camille and Bettor B Lucky, while taking two of the George Morton Levy splits with Annieswesterncard and Foiled Again.

Gingras posted 52 Grand Circuit driving points with his four wins, two seconds and one third to easily win the weekly honors, followed by Brian Sears (22) and George Brennan (21).

Ron Burke dominated the trainer’s race once again last weekend at Yonkers, as his pupils posted a total of 72 Grand Circuit points. Burke posted six victories in the eight G.C. races, with Camille, Ginger And Fred and Bettor B Lucky winning in the Blue Chip Matchmaker and Clear Vision, Annieswesterncard and Foiled Again scoring in the Levy.

Those victories also allowed Burke Racing to lead all owners in points for the weekend with 15.25, a figure matched by Burke’s patron Weaver Bruscemi.

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 the past weekend at Yonkers:

Drivers: 1. Yannick Gingras – 191; 2. Tim Tetrick – 138; 3. Brian Sears – 112.5; 4. George Brennan – 62.5; and 5. Matt Kakaley – 56.

Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 245; 2. PJ Fraley – 66; 3. Mark Harder – 59.5; 4. Andrew Harris –38; and 5. Tony O’Sullivan – 37.

Owners: 1. Burke Racing – 52.75; 2. Weaver Bruscemi – 52.05; 3. Bamond Racing – 35; 4. Our Horse Cents Stable – 34; and 5. Joseph Davino – 31.

Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will take place next weekend at Northfield Park, Freehold Raceway and Yonkers Raceway. Northfield will host the Courageous Lady for 3-year-old filly pacers on Friday (April 26); Freehold has eliminations scheduled for the Dexter Cup for 3-year-old open trotters on Saturday (April 27); and action at Yonkers will continue with the Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy finals and consolations on Saturday (April 27).