Grand Circuit features Matron Stakes, Kindergarten finals

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

Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit returns to Dover Downs this Thursday (Nov. 10) for four Matron Stakes for 3-year-olds of both sexes and gaits. The 3-year-old colt pace carries a purse of $158,200, the 3-year-old colt trotters will race for $143,950, the purse for the 3-year-old filly trot is $135,300 and the 3-year-old filly pacers will race for $123,950.

The Meadowlands on Saturday (Nov. 12) will offer the lucrative finals of the Kindergarten Series for 2-year-olds of both sexes and gaits. The 2-year-old filly trot carries a purse of $279,290, the 2-year-old colt trotters will race for $268,180, the purse for the 2-year-old filly pace is $238,810 and the 2-year-old colt pacers will race for $233,970.

Complete entries for the races are available at this link.

Last time: Driver Yannick Gingras swept both Matron Stakes for 2-year-old trotters, held Thursday (Nov. 3) at Bally’s Dover, using identical front-end tactics to win with colt Kimmeridgian (Walner-Foxy Fantasy) and filly Brunella (Father Patrick-Hollywood Hill).

In the $122,600 Matron for male trotters, conducted as a non-wagering prelude event, Gingras controlled fractions of :28.2, :58.3 and 1:27.1 with Kimmeridgian before the colt sped through a :27.2 final quarter to seal a 1:54.3 maiden-breaking victory. Crown (driven by Brian Sears) protected second, two lengths back, from his pocket journey over Father Stosh (David Miller).

Åke Svanstedt trains Kimmeridgian for Knutsson Trotting Inc. and Young Guns.

Gingras completed his stakes double in the $129,400 Matron for trotting fillies, giving Nancy Takter trainee Brunella easy early fractions of :29.2, :58.3 and 1:26.4 before bracing for a challenge from Canterbury Hanover (Sears) on the far turn. The filly accelerated to a two-length lead off the home turn, only for 3-5 favorite Quick Stop to emerge out of the pocket to give late pursuit. Gingras called upon Brunella for more in the final sixteenth, and she reached the line a neck better than Quick Stop to win in 1:54.4. Knickknack Hanover (Steve Smith) finished third, another 9-1/2 lengths behind.

Göran Falk and Christina Takter share ownership of three-time winner Brunella, who paid $5.00 to win.

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

Grand Circuit Standings: In 2022, 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 2022 Grand Circuit awards.

Here are the leaders (through the races on 11-5-22):

Drivers: 1. Dexter Dunn – 1,507; 2. Tim Tetrick – 1,043; 3. Yannick Gingras – 1,007; 4. Todd McCarthy – 871; 5. David Miller – 829.

Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 1,001; 2. Ake Svanstedt – 838; 3. Tony Alagna – 728; 4. Brett Pelling – 519; 5. Marcus Melander – 441.

Owners: 1. David McDuffee – 225.9; 2. Burke Racing Stable – 191; 3. Brad Grant – 188.3; 4. Courant Inc. – 174; 5. Caviart Farms – 172.8.

Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will again take place next week at The Meadowlands and Dover Downs. The Meadowlands will feature eliminations for the Fall Four stakes for 2-year-old pacers and trotters. Dover will host the Progress Pace eliminations for 3-year-old open pacers.

For complete Thursday Dover entries, click here.

For complete Saturday Meadowlands entries, click here.

by Paul Ramlow, for the Grand Circuit