Busy weekend of Grand Circuit stakes

Harness Racing This Week: Lady Suffolk and Dexter Cup, Freehold Raceway, Freehold, N.J.; Mack Lobell Elitlopp Playoff, Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, N.J.; and Chip Noble Memorial and Miami Valley Distaff, Miami Valley Raceway, Lebanon, Ohio.

Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit at Freehold this week features the $140,800 Dexter Cup for 3-year-old open trotters and the $58,000 Lady Suffolk for 3-year-old filly trotters on Saturday (May 7). Meadowlands Racetrack offers the $150,000 Mack Lobell Elitlopp Playoff for older trotters on Sunday (May 8). Also on Sunday, Miami Valley Raceway will feature the $100,000 Chip Noble Memorial for older pacing mares and the $100,000 Miami Valley Distaff for older trotting mares.

Complete entries for the races are available at this link.

Last time: Freehold Raceway hosted three $16,000 eliminations for the Dexter Cup for 3-year-old male trotters this past Saturday afternoon (April 30).

The first (and fastest) elimination was captured by David Miller and Enzed Racing Stable's Cufflink Hanover, who took advantage of a perfect trip to score in a time of 1:57.3. Co-owner Miller was in the sulky as the son of Andover Hall-CR Savoire Faire posted his initial win in two season's starts. The Nifty Norman trainee was a 1-1/4 length winner over Steed (Matt Kakaley), who cut fractions of :29.2, :59.2 and 1:28.3 before yielding to the winner in the lane. Credevie was third for trainer/driver Trond Smedshammer.

The second division was captured by Courant A B's Dominion Beach, a 1:58 winner for driver Marcus Johansson and trainer Nancy Johansson. The Muscle Hill-Windylane Hanover sophomore brushed to the lead at the three-quarter pole and then held off a late surge by Sir Royson (Jim Marohn Jr.) to win by a half-length. Cloud Nine Hanover was third for trainer/driver Charlie Norris. The victory was the third lifetime for Dominion Beach, who upped his career earnings to $98,267.

Owner Courant A B also captured the final elimination as Dante went gate-to-wire for trainer/driver Ake Svanstedt to emerge victorious in 1:58.3. The Credit Winner-Michelle's Angel colt pulled away in the lane for a 3-1/2 length victory over Inukchuk Chuck (Jim Marshall III) with Hillman third for trainer/driver Marcus Melander. The victory was the first in three career starts for Dante.

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

Grand Circuit Standings: In 2016, 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 Farm is the sponsor for the 2016 Grand Circuit awards.

Here are the leaders following the past weekend:

Drivers: 1. Jordan Stratton – 161.5; 2. Daniel Dube – 100; 3. George Brennan – 96; 4. Jason Bartlett – 90; 5. Tim Tetrick – 69.

Trainers: 1. Peter Tritton – 134.5; 2. Jeff Bamond Jr. – 128; 3. Rene Allard – 105; 4. Ron Burke – 93; 5. Richard Banca – 42.

Owners: 1. Harry von Knoblauch – 134.5: 2. Bamond Racing – 75; 3t. Durazzano Stable – 35; 3t. Allard Racing – 35; 5t. Burke Racing Stable – 25.45; 5t. Weaver Bruscemi – 25.45.

Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will take place next weekend at Flamboro Downs as the track will host the C$244,000 Confederation Cup for 4-year-old open pacers.

Paul Ramlow