by Paul Ramlow, publicity director, The Grand Circuit

This Week: Meadowlands Grand Circuit, the Meadowlands, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit concludes its stay at the Meadowlands with nine lucrative events, headlined by the $1.5 million Hambletonian Final, the second leg of Trotting’s Triple Crown for 3-year-olds. The racing kicks off on Thursday (August 5) with the $150,000 (est.) Countess Adios for 2-year-old filly pacers. The Friday (August 6) program features the $145,000 (est.) Niatross for 2-year-old colt pacers and the $50,000 (est.) Townsend Ackerman for 3-year-old open trotters. The big Saturday afternoon (August 7) card has the $1.5 million Hambletonian Final for 3-year-old open trotters, the $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks Final for 3-year-old filly trotters, the $525,000 (est.) Merrie Annabelle Final for 2-year-old filly trotters, the $523,000 (est.) Peter Haughton Memorial Final for 2-year-old colt trotters, the $400,000 (est.) Mistletoe Shalee for 3-year-old filly pacers, and the $230,000 (est.) Oliver Wendell Holmes for 3-year-old colt pacers.

Last time: Driver Dave Palone, as usual, was the top driver during the Meadows Grand Circuit as he piloted six winners in GC action at the western Pennsylvania oval.

Palone was in victory lane in all three $20,000 divisions of the Arden Downs for 2-year-old colt trotters with Mythical Hall, Not Nice and Triomphe De Vie. He also won a pair of splits in the 2-year-old filly pace, capturing a $22,316 division with Mothermayi Hanover and a $21,916 event behind Hasty Pulse. Palone’s sixth winner came with Full Tank in a $33,507 division of the 3-year-old filly trot.

Yannick Gingras had four winners, while Tony Hall, Brett Miller, Ray Paver and Brian Sears added three apiece in Grand Circuit action at The Meadows.

At the Meadowlands, John Campbell led all drivers with a trio of winners in the opening of their second Grand Circuit competition of 2010. Campbell swept the $20,000 Merrie Annabelle eliminations for 2-year-old filly trotters with Hey Mister and Thatsnotmyname, while also winning a $70,000 Hambletonian elimination for 3-year-old trotters behind Lucky Chucky.

Grand Circuit Driving Standings: Jim Morrill, Jr. continues to lead in the Grand Circuit driving standings with 11 winners in 2010. David Miller checks in second with nine triumphs. Yannick Gingras and Tim Tetrick share third place, with eight wins apiece. Dave Palone, Ron Pierce and Brian Sears are tied for fifth place, each with seven victories. Mike Lachance and Ray Schnittker share eighth place, with five wins. Rounding out the top ten are John Campbell and Brett Miller with four wins apiece.

Looking ahead: The Grand Circuit will be off next week before heading to the Illinois State Fair in Springfield for action on August 16 and 17.