by Paul Ramlow, Grand Circuit Publicity Director

Columbus, OH — The Grand Circuit will make 17 stops during its 2011 racing season according to the schedule announced today by G.C. President Tom Thomson.

The Grand Circuit has been in existence since 1871, when representatives from three racetracks in different states met to create a racing circuit. The first campaign for the Grand Circuit took place in 1873, when four tracks offered $169,300 in purses. From those humble beginnings, the Grand Circuit has blossomed into a yearly showcase of the finest 2-and 3-year-old harness horses competing in North America, with purses now totaling many millions of dollars at racetracks and fairs in many areas of the continent.

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

Track–Dates
Freehold Raceway–April 30-May 7
Hoosier Park–May 28
Historic Track (Goshen)–July 1-July 3
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs–July 5-July 9
Tioga Downs–July 14-July 18
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