by Paul Ramlow, Grand Circuit Publicity Director

This Week: The Grand Circuit is off this week. Racing action will resume on October 19-20 with the Breeders Crown eliminations at Woodbine.

Last time: Tim Tetrick posted five winners during the second week of Grand Circuit racing at The Red Mile in Lexington.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Tim Tetrick piloted five Grand Circuit winners this past week at The Red Mile.

Tetrick was triumphant behind Archangel in a $114,300 first heat elimination of the Kentucky Futurity, the third leg of Trotting’s Triple Crown for 3-year-olds (they were seventh in the second heat final captured by My MVP); Oasis Dream in a $64,575 first heat elimination of the Kentucky Filly Futurity for 3-year-old filly trotters (they were fifth in the second heat final captured by Win Missy B); Captaintreacherous in an $86,550 division of the International Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old colt pacers; Royalty For Life in an $82,750 division of the International Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old colt trotters; and Your So Vain in an $81,750 division of the International Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old colt trotters.

Ron Pierce chipped in with four winners on the week, including a straight heat victory behind Win Missy B in the Kentucky Filly Futurity, taking their $64,575 first heat elimination and the $157,849 second heat final. Pierce also won an $86,550 division of the International Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old colt pacers with Fool Me Once and an $85,000 division of the International Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old filly pacers behind Parlee Beach.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

John Campbell is the new president of the Grand Circuit.

Grand Circuit News: John Campbell was elected Grand Circuit president at the organization’s annual officers and stewards meeting this past Saturday morning (Oct. 6) in Lexington. The 57-year-old Campbell replaces the late Tom Thomson, who served as Grand Circuit president for 21 years before his death this past January.

The remainder of the slate of officers that was elected is as follows: George Segal (Senior Vice-President); Steve Jones, Scott McKelvie and Nick Salvi (Vice-Presidents); Joe DeFrank (Director Emeritus); Carol Cramer (Secretary and Steward At Large); and Paul Ramlow (Treasurer, Publicity Director and Steward At Large).

Also at Lexington, the Delvin Miller Grand Circuit medallions were presented to the Circuit’s leading driver, trainer and owner for the 2011 campaign. Dave Palone was the leading driver, Jonas Czernyson was the top trainer and Ted Gewertz was the leading owner.

Grand Circuit Driving Standings: Tim Tetrick extended his lead in the Grand Circuit driving standings as he now has 24 winners in 2012. David Miller remains in second place with 18 victories. Yannick Gingras holds down third place with 16 wins. Dave Palone and Ron Pierce share fourth place, each with 13 victories. John Campbell, Jim Morrill, Jr. and Jimmy Takter are tied for sixth place with eight victories apiece. Brian Sears has climbed into ninth place with six winners. Matt Kakaley, Andy Miller and Ray Schnittker are tied for tenth place, each with five victories in 2012.

Looking ahead: The Grand Circuit will head north of the border to Woodbine Racetrack for the Breeders Crown. Eliminations will take place on October 19 and 20, with the dozen lucrative finals set for October 27.

The remaining 2012 schedule for the Grand Circuit is as follows.

Track–Dates
Breeders Crown at Woodbine–October 19-October 27
Balmoral Park–November 3-November 10
Maywood Park–November 16