by Paul Ramlow, Grand Circuit Publicity Director

This Week: American-National finals, Balmoral Park, Crete, Illinois

Schedule of events: The American-National finals will be contested on Saturday, Nov. 13, at Balmoral Park. On tap will be six lucrative events – the $260,000 (est.) 3-year-old colt pace, the $225,000 (est.) pace for 4-year-olds and up, the $200,000 (est.) trot for 4-year-olds and up, the $190,000 (est.) 3-year-old filly pace, the $160,000 (est.) 2-year-old colt pace final and the $145,000 (est.) 2-year-old filly pace final.

Last time: Del Chupp won a pair of American-National eliminations this past Saturday (Nov. 6) at Balmoral Park. He piloted Little Maeve to the winner’s circle in the lone $12,700 elimination for the 2-year-old filly pacers and was also behind Mystic Desire in one of two $11,030 eliminations for the 2-year-old colt pacers. Robert Taylor guided Mr Bedrock home first in the other $11,030 elimination for the juvenile pacing colts.

Grand Circuit Driving Standings: The Grand Circuit driving standings remained unchanged with Tim Tetrick still in first place with 29 victories in 2010. John Campbell is in second place with 21 winners. Ron Pierce and Brian Sears share third place, each with 19 triumphs. David Miller and Jim Morrill, Jr. are tied for fifth place, each with 18 winners. Yannick Gingras holds down seventh place with 14 victories. Dave Palone is in eighth place with 13 triumphs. George Brennan is ninth with ten victories. Daniel Dube rounds out the top 10 with eight winners in 2010.

Looking ahead: The Grand Circuit will stay in Illinois next week with the final stop of the 2010 season coming at Maywood Park. The Friday (Nov. 19) card will feature the $250,000 (est.) Windy City Pace for 3-year-old colts, the $130,000 Abe Lincoln for 2-year-old colt pacers, the $100,000 Cinderella for 3-year-old filly pacers and the $100,000 Galt Memorial for 3-year-old colt trotters.