Matron kicks off Grand Circuit weekend

Harness Racing This Week: Matron Stakes, Bally’s Dover, Dover, Del. and Kindergarten Series finals, The Meadowlands, East Rutherford, N.J.

Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit returns to Dover this Thursday (Nov. 7) for four Matron Stakes for 3-year-olds of both sexes and gaits. The 3-year-old colt pace carries a purse of $185,500, the 3-year-old colt trotters will race for $152,800, the purse for the 3-year-old filly trot is $146,050 and the 3-year-old filly pacers will race for $116,500.

The Meadowlands on Saturday (Nov. 9) will offer the finals of the Kindergarten Series for 2-year-olds of both sexes and gaits. The 2-year-old filly trot carries a purse of $243,400, the 2-year-old colt trotters will race for $173,300, the purse for the 2-year-old filly pace is $165,000 and the 2-year-old colt pacers will race for $148,500.

Complete entries for the races are available at this link.

Last time: Nijinsky proved to be a in a league of his own on Friday (Nov. 1) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, scoring decisively in the $180,000 Monument Circle, which highlighted the 13-race card.

With regular pilot Louis Roy in tow, Nijinsky was sent away as the 1-20 favorite from post three in the field of 10 for the evening’s feature. Roy guided the Anthony Beaton trainee into fourth off the gate while Solid Character (David Miller) blitzed to the lead through a first quarter of :25.3.

Roy’s hand was forced on the backstretch, tipping from fourth before a parked out Stat That (LeWayne Miller) fired three-deep around the bettors’ choice and drove to the front at odds of 93-1 to the half in :54. Left first-over entering the turn, Nijinsky brushed to the lead around the longshot before opening up by 3-1/2 lengths at three-quarters in 1:22.1.

With Roy keeping the pedal down and Stat That faltering in the pocket, the lead expanded to seven lengths midway through the lane for Nijinsky. With his pursuers well back in deep stretch, Nijinsky coasted home a winner by 5-1/4 lengths to stop the clock in 1:48.4. Tellmeitmatters (John De Long) rallied for the place spot, while Miki Ray (Pete Wrenn) picked up the show dough at 175-1.

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

Grand Circuit Standings: In 2024, 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 2024 Grand Circuit awards.

Here are the leaders (through the races on 11-2-24):

Drivers: 1. Dexter Dunn – 1,702; 2. Yannick Gingras – 962.5; 3. David Miller – 815; 4. Scott Zeron – 713; 5. Todd McCarthy – 652.

Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 1,272; 2. Ake Svanstedt – 966; 3. Marcus Melander – 600; 4. Nancy Takter – 589; 5. Noel Daley – 409.

Owners: 1. Burke Racing Stable – 297.1; 2. Weaver Bruscemi – 243; 3. Determination – 227; 4. Ake Svanstedt Inc. – 205.5; 5. Caviart Farms – 154.6.

Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will take place next week at Bally’s Dover. Dover will host the Matron Stakes for 2-year-olds of both sexes and gaits on Monday (Nov. 11) through Thursday (Nov. 14).

by Paul Ramlow, for the Grand Circuit