by Paul Ramlow, Grand Circuit Publicity Director

This Week: Tompkins-Geers Stakes, Tioga Downs, Nichols, New York

Schedule of events: Tompkins-Geers action begins on Thursday (July 19) with three divisions in the $88,266 2-year-old colt trot and three splits in the $76,514 2-year-old filly trot. The Friday (July 20) program also features a pair of events, with two divisions in the $73,370 2-year-old filly pace and a single dash in the $71,266 2-year-old colt pace. Saturday’s (July 21) card at Tioga offers the $74,000 (est.) 3-year-old colt trot and the $65,000 (est.) 3-year-old filly trot. Action concludes on Sunday (July 22) with the $80,000 (est.) 3-year-old filly pace and the $66,000 (est.) 3-year-old colt pace.

Last time: David Miller was the driving star last time out as the Grand Circuit raced 37 Pennsylvania All-Stars divisions at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Miller made six trips to the winner’s circle at the Northeast Pennsylvania oval.

David Miller had six victories during the Grand Circuit stop at Pocono Downs.

Miller was in victory lane behind Santa Fe Beachboy ($30,000 2-year-old colt pace division), Dovuto Hanover ($30,000 2-year-old colt pace division), Major Athens ($30,000 2-year-old colt trot division), Somstreetsomwhere ($30,000 2-year-old filly pace division), Miss Madi M ($30,000 2-year-old filly pace division) and End Of Innocence ($32,000 3-year-old filly trot division).

Matt Kakaley, Jimmy Takter and Tim Tetrick also enjoyed big weeks at Pocono as each driver posted wins in five Pennsylvania All-Stars races.

Grand Circuit Driving Standings: David Miller is the new leader in the Grand Circuit driving standings with six winners. Matt Kakaley, Ray Schnittker, Jimmy Takter and Tim Tetrick share second place, each with five victories. Jim Morrill, Jr. checks in sixth with three triumphs. Yannick Gingras, Jeff Gregory, George Napolitano, Jr., Dave Palone and Ron Pierce share seventh place, each with two victories in 2012.

Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action heads to The Meadows in western Pennsylvania the final week of the month, with the marquee event being the $600,000 (est.) Delvin Miller Adios for 3-year-old colt pacers. The Adioo Volo for 3-year-old filly pacers and six Arden Downs events for 2- and 3-year-olds are also on the busy schedule.

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

Track–Dates
Tioga Downs–July 19-July 22
Meadows–July 23-July 28
Meadowlands–August 2-August 4
Illinois State Fair (Springfield)–August 13-August 19
Harrah’s Chester–August 16-August 19
Indiana State Fair (Indianapolis)–August 17
Indiana Downs–August 22-August 25
Mohawk–September 1-September 8
Delaware, Ohio County Fair–September 16-September 20
The Red Mile–September 27-October 7
Breeders Crown at Woodbine–October 19-October 27
Balmoral Park–November 3-November 10
Maywood Park–November 16