by Paul Ramlow, publicity director, The Grand Circuit

This Week: The Grand Circuit is off this week. Racing will resume the week of August 15 at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis, and Harrah’s Chester in Pennsylvania.

Last time: Tim Tetrick won four Grand Circuit stakes last week at Meadowlands Racetrack, highlighted by a victory in the $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks for 3-year-old filly trotters with Bar Slide. He also won the $500,000 Peter Haughton for 2-year-old trotting colts with The Lindy Reserve, a $51,500 Countess Adios division for 2-year-old pacing fillies behind Rocklamation, and a $50,000 Townsend Ackerman division for 3-year-old trotting colts with Pretty Boy Lindy.

John Campbell and Brian Sears each added three winners. Campbell was in victory lane behind Thatsnotmyname in the $437,000 Merrie Annabelle for 2-year-old filly trotters, Lookinforadventure in a $54,000 Niatross split for 2-year-old colt pacers and Drop The Ball in a $51,500 Countess Adios division. Sears had his photo taken after wins with Dancinwiththestarz ($275,000 Mistletoe Shalee for 3-year-old filly pacers), Delmarvalous ($115,500 Oliver Wendell Holmes division for 3-year-old pacing colts) and Keystone Tabby ($30,000 Duenna division for 3-year-old filly trotters).

Ron Pierce won just once in Grand Circuit competition, but the victory came in the marquee event, the $1.5 million Hambletonian for 3-year-old open trotters with Muscle Massive.

Grand Circuit Driving Standings: Tim Tetrick has taken over the lead in the Grand Circuit driving standings with 12 winners in 2010. Jim Morrill, Jr. is in second place with 11 winners. David Miller and Brian Sears are tied for third place, with 10 victories apiece. Yannick Gingras checks in fifth with nine winners. Ron Pierce is sixth with eight victories to his credit. John Campbell and Dave Palone share seventh place, each with seven triumphs. George Brennan, Mike Lachance and Ray Schnittker are tied for ninth place, each with five wins.

Looking ahead: Grand Circuit racing will be contested in three locations next week. Freshman and sophomore pacers and trotters will be at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield for the Review Stakes on August 16-17, then head to the Indiana State Fair for a big card on August 20. The action then heads east to Harrah’s Chester for their Super Sunday of Grand Circuit racing on August 22.