by Paul Ramlow, Grand Circuit Publicity Director

This Week: Lexington Grand Circuit, The Red Mile, Lexington, Kentucky

Schedule of events: The second week of Grand Circuit action at The Red Mile begins on Thursday (Oct. 6) with three divisions in the $300,000 (est.) International Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old filly trotters. The Friday (Oct. 7) card has the $350,000 (est.) International Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old colt trotters and the $300,000 (est.) International Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old filly pacers. Saturday’s (Oct. 8) racing action features the $400,000 (est.) International Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old colt pacers and the $350,000 (est.) Glen Garnsey Memorial for 3-year-old filly pacers. Grand Circuit racing wraps up on Sunday (Oct. 9) with the $700,000 (est.) Tattersalls for 3-year-old open pacers, the $200,000 (est.) Bluegrass for 3-year-old open trotters and the $200,000 (est.) Bluegrass for 3-year-old filly trotters.

Last time: Yannick Gingras and Ron Pierce were the driving stars during the opening week of Grand Circuit racing at The Red Mile in Lexington as each pilot posted five winners.

Gingras was triumphant behind Drop The Ball in a $153,000 division of the Bluegrass for 3-year-old filly pacers, Destiny’s Chance in a $134,750 Bluegrass split for 2-year-old filly pacers, Maven in a $109,100 division of the Bluegrass for 2-year-old filly trotters, Hugadragon in a $100,500 Bluegrass split for 3-year-old colt pacers and A Rocknroll Dance in a $96,500 Bluegrass division for 2-year-old colt pacers.

Pierce was a straight heat winner in the $291,000 Kentucky Filly Futurity for 3-year-olds with Cedar Dove. He also won a $108,100 Bluegrass division for 2-year-old filly trotters with She Wears It Well, a $96,500 Bluegrass split for 2-year-old colt pacers with Simply Business and an $85,250 Bluegrass division for 2-year-old colt trotters behind Magic Tonight.

Grand Circuit News: Tom Thomson was elected to his 21st consecutive one-year term as Grand Circuit President at the annual officers and stewards meeting held this past Saturday morning in Lexington. The remainder of the slate of officers is as follows: George Segal (Senior Vice-President); Steve Jones, Scott McKelvie and Nick Salvi (Vice-Presidents); John Cashman, Joe DeFrank and John Cisna (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 2010 campaign. Tim Tetrick was the leading driver, Bruce Saunders was the top trainer and Frank Bellino was named the leading owner.

Grand Circuit Driving Standings: David Miller has moved into a tie with Dave Palone atop the Grand Circuit driving standings as each reinsman has 22 victories. Tim Tetrick is in third place with 20 winners. Ron Pierce has climbed into fourth place with 14 victories. Yannick Gingras checks in fifth with 13 triumphs. Andy Miller and Ray Schnittker share sixth place, each with 10 scores. Brett Miller and Montrell Teague are tied for eighth place, each with seven wins. Jody Jamieson and Brian Sears round out the top ten with six victories apiece.

Looking ahead: Following this week’s action at The Red Mile, the Grand Circuit will head north of the border to Woodbine Racetrack for the Breeders Crown. Eliminations will take place on October 21 and 22, with the dozen lucrative finals set for October 29.

The remaining 2011 schedule for the Grand Circuit is as follows.

Track–Dates
Breeders Crown at Woodbine–October 21-October 29
Balmoral Park–November 5-November 12
Maywood Park–November 18