Yonkers takes center stage with Grand Circuit Triple Crowns

Harness Racing This Week: MGM Yonkers Trot and MGM Grand Messenger Stakes eliminations, Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, N.Y.; and Graduate Series and Miss Versatility legs, The Meadowlands, East Rutherford, N.J.

Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit weekend kicks off on Friday (June 21) at Yonkers Raceway, with a pair of $25,000 eliminations in the MGM Grand Messenger Stakes, the first leg of the Pacing Triple Crown for 3-year-olds. There is also a single $25,000 elimination in the MGM Yonkers Trot, the first leg of the Trotting Triple Crown for 3-year-olds.

Grand Circuit racing shifts to The Meadowlands on Saturday (June 22) for the third leg of the Graduate Series for 4-year-old pacers and trotters. There will be a pair of $50,000 divisions in both the Open Pace and the Open Trot. Also on the card will be the third leg of the Miss Versatility Series for older trotting mares, with a single $40,000 division set to go behind the gate.

Entries for the races can be found by clicking on this link.

Last Time: In a race chock full of contenders, it was Nijinsky (Bettor’s Delight-Pirouette Hanover), courtesy of a flawless journey orchestrated by Louis-Philippe Roy, who came out on top in the 41st edition of the C$1 million Pepsi North America Cup, held Saturday night (June 15) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Showcasing a wide open field with no shortage of sophomore horsepower, the premier Canadian event for 3-year-old pacers promised plenty of drama to be played out in front of a packed house at the Milton oval.

And it certainly delivered on that front.

The action began as soon as the starting car sped away, with Funtime Bayama grabbing the early lead, followed by Captain Albano, Captain Luke, and slight 5-2 choice Captain’s Quarters. It got more compelling after Funtime Bayama carved out an opening quarter in :26.1, as Captain Albano sped to the front, only to be passed by Captain’s Quarters. Nijinsky was seventh but travelling comfortably with a patient Roy at the controls. Jody Jamieson had Captain’s Quarters on top by 1-1/2 lengths through a half in :54.1, followed by Captain Albano, Funtime Bayama and Legendary Hanover, who announced his presence from in fourth.

Heading into the turn for home, Captain’s Quarters, a length clear through three-quarters in 1:21.2, was still calling the shots as Legendary Hanover looked to reel in his rival. Captain Albano was third, but a hard-charging Nijinsky arrived on the scene and was rolling midway down the lane. A game Captain’s Quarters dug in to the inside, but Nijinsky had the momentum and went on to notch a 1-1/2 length win in a lifetime best 1:48.1. Funtime Bayama, who had been locked in at the rail, re-rallied to finish third. Captain Albano was fourth.

“It (the trip) worked really well,” said Roy, who won his first Cup in his fourth appearance. “I have to give credit to the horse himself. You can do whatever you want, and he’ll respond to you any time in the mile. He’s just so easy to drive.

“I knew coming down the lane. I didn’t know how much Jody had left, but I really liked my chances there. I knew coming up the helmet, he would give me a pretty good kick.”

It was the fifth win in as many starts this year for the bay colt trained by Anthony Beaton for the ownership group of West Wins Stable (Casie Coleman), John Fielding, and Mark Dumain. Bred by Jeffrey Snyder, he was a $120,000 purchase at the 2022 Standardbred Horse Sale.

Nijinsky, the 5-2 second choice, paid $7.90 for the win.

Complete recaps of all the races are available at the Grand Circuit website. For a list of 2024 race winners on the Grand Circuit, click here.

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 6-15-24):

Drivers: 1. Yannick Gingras – 159.5; 2. Dexter Dunn – 156; 3. Matt Kakaley – 142; 4. Jason Bartlett – 121.5; 5. Louis Roy – 112.

Trainers: 1. Travis Alexander – 117; 2. Ron Burke – 107; 3. Per Engblom – 94.5; 4. Anthony Beaton – 77; 5. Nancy Takter – 59.

Owners: 1. Guy Corbeil – 57; 2. Kathy Cecchin – 50; 3. Graham Grace Stables – 45; 4. Mark Ford – 42; 5. West Wins Stable – 36.6.

Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will take place next week at Yonkers Raceway, The Meadowlands, and Woodbine Mohawk Park. Yonkers will have the MGM Yonkers Trot final for 3-year-old open trotters, the MGM Grand Messenger final for 3-year-old open pacers, the Park MGM Pace for 3-year-old fillies and the New York-New York Mile for sophomore trotting fillies; The Meadowlands will feature four events for the older set, the Dave Brower Memorial for open pacers, the Crawford Farms for open trotters, the Perfect Sting for pacing mares and the Six Pace for trotting mares, plus Reynolds Memorial races for 3-year-old colt and filly trotters and the first leg of the Kindergarten Series for 2-year-olds of both sexes and gaits; and Mohawk Park has Tompkins-Geers stakes for 2-year-olds of both sexes and gaits.

by Paul Ramlow, for the Grand Circuit