by Paul Ramlow, Grand Circuit Publicity Director

This Week: Landmark Stakes, Historic Track, Goshen, New York

Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit will be at Goshen this coming week with eight Landmark Stakes events for 2- and 3-year-olds of both sexes and gaits, all slated for the Friday (June 29) racing program.

The Landmarks for sophomores will race in single dashes and have purses of $17,940 (3-year-old colt trot); $15,990 (3-year-old colt pace); $14,090 (3-year-old filly pace); and $11,140 (3-year-old filly trot).

The four Landmark events for freshmen will be contested in two divisions each and have total purses of $14,770 (2-year-old colt trot); $14,470 (2-year-old colt pace); $10,170 (2-year-old filly pace); and $9,570 (2-year-old filly trot).

Last time: Hoosier Park hosted the last Grand Circuit event earlier this month, with the featured race being the $200,000 Dan Patch for free for all pacers.

Rockincam and driver Peter Wrenn used a valiant stretch drive to overtake a field of nine opponents in the 19th installment of the Dan Patch on June 2. In the final strides, Rockincam charged home to win by 1-3/4 lengths over Special T Rocks who fought a tough first-over journey. Atochia took advantage of a perfect second-over trip to get up for third.

Trained by Nifty Norman, the 5-year-old son of Cambest is owned by Stephen Farrell.

Grand Circuit Driving Standings: Jeff Gregory has the early lead in the Grand Circuit driving standings with two victories in 2012. Ron Pierce, Tony Schadel and Peter Wrenn are tied for second with one win each.

Looking ahead: Grand Circuit racing will take place next week at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. The Pennsylvania All Stars action will commence on Tuesday (July 3), with the $75,000 (est.) 2-year-old colt trot and the $75,000 (est.) 2-year-old colt pace.

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

Track–Dates
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs–July 3-July 8
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