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 14) with seven divisions in the $117,670 2-year-old filly trot and five splits in the $96,750 2-year-old colt trot. The Friday (July 15) program features a pair of events, with five divisions in the $107,250 2-year-old filly pace and a single dash in the $62,000 3-year-old filly pace. Sunday’s (July 17) card at Tioga offers the $100,000 (est.) 2-year-old colt pace, the $85,000 (est.) 3-year-old colt trot, and the $75,000 (est.) 3-year-old colt pace. Action concludes on Monday (July 18) with the $85,000 (est.) 3-year-old filly trot.

Last time: Drivers Dave Palone and Tim Tetrick had gigantic weeks as the Grand Circuit raced 36 Reynolds Memorial stakes divisions at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Palone made nine trips to the winner’s circle, while Tetrick was victorious eight times.

Palone was in victory lane behind Magnum Kosmos ($33,350 3-year-old colt trot division), Opening Night ($33,350 3-year-old colt trot division), Dana’s Sharp Smart ($26,367 3-year-old colt pace division), In Deep Thought ($21,967 3-year-old filly pace division), Terryang Fra ($21,036 2-year-old colt pace division), Real Chop ($21,032 2-year-old filly pace division), Sectionline Yankee ($21,032 2-year-old filly pace division), Campanile ($21,032 2-year-old filly pace division), and Marty Party ($21,032 2-year-old filly pace division).

Tetrick’s scores came with Mikayla Rose ($21,967 3-year-old filly pace division), Myluvmylife ($21,967 3-year-old filly pace division), Ethan Hanover ($21,036 2-year-old colt pace division), Mc Attaboy ($20,636 2-year-old colt pace division), Station Threeohsix ($20,636 2-year-old colt pace division), Check Me Out ($20,419 2-year-old filly trot division), Possess The Will ($20,291 2-year-old colt trot division) and Sculpted Vanity ($20,019 2-year-old filly trot division).

Grand Circuit Driving Standings: Dave Palone is the new leader in the Grand Circuit driving standings with nine winners. Tim Tetrick is second with eight scores. David Miller is third with six victories. Ray Schnittker checks in fourth with five wins. Jason Bartlett and Brett Miller share fifth place, each with three triumphs. Matt Kakaley and Jimmy Takter are tied for seventh with two wins apiece; and 12 drivers share ninth place with one win apiece.

Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action heads to The Meadows in western Pennsylvania the final week of the month, with the marquee event being the $650,000 (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 2011 schedule for the Grand Circuit is as follows.

Track–Dates
Meadows–July 25-July 30
Meadowlands–August 4-August 6
Illinois State Fair (Springfield)–August 12-August 18
Indiana State Fair (Indianapolis)–August 19
Harrah’s Chester–August 21-August 27
Indiana Downs–August 24-August 27
Mohawk–September 3-September 10
Delaware, Ohio County Fair–September 18-September 22
The Red Mile–September 29-October 9
Breeders Crown at Woodbine–October 21-October 29
Balmoral Park–November 5-November 12
Maywood Park–November 18