Harness races this week: Bluegrass Stakes, Red Mile, Lexington, Ky., And Dayton Pacing Derby, Dayton Trotting Derby and Dayton Distaff Derby, Hollywood Dayton Raceway, Dayton, Ohio.

Event calendar : Grand Circuit action kicks off Friday (October 1) at the Red Mile as the Lexington Oval features five divisions in the $ 356,000 Bluegrass for 2-year-old trotting colts and two divisions in the $ 289,000 Bluegrass for the 2-year-old filly with heart pacemakers. On Saturday October 2nd, Red Mile will offer three divisions in the $ 330,000 Bluegrass for 2-year-old foals and five divisions in the $ 390,000 Bluegrass for 2-year-old trotting fillies. The first week of racing at Lexington ends Sunday (October 3) with $ 200,000 (est.) Bluegrass events for 3-year-old male and female trotters and race leaders.

The Hollywood Dayton Raceway on Saturday night (October 2) will feature a trio of Grand Circuit entries in the $ 176,000 Dayton Pacing Derby for older coaches, the $ 175,000 Dayton Trotting Derby for older trotters. and the $ 175,000 Dayton Distaff Derby for older women coaches.

Last time: The filly Venerable extended her unbeaten streak to eight in Saturday night’s C $ 1million Mohawk Million (Sept. 25), but local favorite Duly Resolved won her that big check with a very exciting battle in the home stretch. The rich contest for 2-year-old trotters from across North America anchored a high-stakes map at Woodbine Mohawk Park, the richest night of harness racing in Canada this year.

As the race began he was Duly Resolved with his head down and determined from eighth position to take the lead early. His nemesis in William Wellwood’s final, King Of The North, lost momentum in the first corner, as did Mischevious Rose, and Duly Resolved took the lead by the first lap in: 27.1.

They were a bit wide of a threesome with Venerable and Selfie Queen both attempting to take control, but the latter paused and the former succeeded, reaching halftime in: 56.3. Southwind Domino came over to call and was riding the leader’s bike in the third panel 1: 26.1.

As the peloton headed for the stretch, Paul MacDonell was able to find a path for Duly Resolved and he took full advantage of it. Ontario son of To resolve showed great determination and was just short as the filly hit the wire first in 1: 54.2. Valentina Blu, another of the four fillies in the peloton, was third with The Mighty Hill fourth. King Of The North recovered from his first mistake to take final control.

Venerable is now eight for eight in his young career. Father’s daughter from the first harvest Walner is owned by David McDuffee, Mel Hartman, Paul Bordogna and Steve Arnold. A $ 210,000 yearling in last year’s Lexington Selected Sale, she has now cashed $ 861,945. Bred by Maumee River Stables, Black Creek Farm, Martin Schmucker and Steve Stewart, she is Jolene Jolene’s third foal.

David Miller, who led Venerable in all of his starts for coach Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman, was all smiles after the race.

“It’s great, a great feeling, great. I can’t explain how playful and tough she is. His performance on the track is what shows it. She really (dug).

“My game plan was to try to get cover (it didn’t work). She had a pretty sweet middle half and her heart and guts put her on edge.

Grand Circuit classification: In 2021, the leaders of the Grand Circuit in three categories (driver, trainer and owner) will again be followed on a points system (20-10-5 for the first three of the divisions / finals and 10-5-2 for the best three finishes in eliminations / stages). Winbak Farms is the sponsor of the Grand Circuit 2021 awards.

Here are the leaders (through the races of 9-25-21):
Conductors: 1. Dexter Dunn – 780; 2. Tim Tetrick – 682; 3. Yannick Gingras – 677; 4. David Miller – 654; 5. Andrew McCarthy – 542.5.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 832; 2. Nancy Takter – 460; 3. Tony Alagna – 434.5; 4. Nifty Norman – 430; 5. Marcus Melander – 390.
The owners: 1. Burke Racing team – 170.3; 2. Tisserand Bruscemi – 151.6; 3t. Troislyons race – 150; 3t. Determination – 150; 5. Crawford Farms Racing – 149.2.

Looking forward: Grand Circuit action takes place next week on Lexington’s historic Red Mile. Featured is the Kentucky Futurity, the third stage of the trotting triple crown for 3 year olds. The Kentucky Filly Futurity companion for second year fillies, Tattersalls Pace and Glen Garnsey Memorial for 3 year old coaches, four International Stallion Stakes races for 2 year olds of both sexes and gaits, and four Going contests for open pacers and trotters.

by Paul Ramlow, for the Grand Circuit