by Paul Ramlow, publicity director, The Grand Circuit

This Week: Tompkins-Geers Stakes, Tioga Downs, Nichols, New York

Schedule of events: Tompkins-Geers action begins on Thursday (July 15) with four divisions in the $92,508 2-year-old filly trot and three splits in the $82,455 2-year-old colt trot. The Friday (July 16) program features a pair of events, the 78,000 (est.) 2-year-old filly pace and the $66,000 (est.) 3-year-old filly pace. Sunday’s (July 18) card at Tioga offers the $83,000 (est.) 2-year-old colt pace, the $83,000 (est.) 3-year-old colt trot, the $79,000 (est.) 3-year-old filly trot and the $63,000 (est.) 3-year-old colt pace.

Last time: Driver Mike Lachance and trainer George Teague, Jr. each posted a big night during Grand Circuit week at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

Lachance had a four-win night in the sulky on Saturday, July 10, when he reined Devilish Emerald and Easy Agenda to victories in $26,300 divisions of the W.N. Reynolds Memorial for 2-year-old filly trotters and Pang Shui and Aled Hanover to triumphs in $25,000 splits of the 3-year-old colt pace.

Teague had a four-win training night on Monday, July 12, with all his winners coming in $25,000 divisions of the 2-year-old colt pace. The Teague pupils that found their way to victory lane were Custard The Dragon, Real Trell, Reckless Ric and Wink N Atcha.

Matt Kakaley, David Miller, George Napolitano, Jr. and Tim Tetrick each won three Reynolds Memorial divisions.

Grand Circuit Driving Standings: David Miller, Ron Pierce and Tim Tetrick share the Grand Circuit driving lead with five winners apiece. Mike Lachance, Ray Schnittker and Brian Sears are tied for fourth place, each with four winning drives. Matt Kakaley, George Napolitano, Jr. and Brandon Simpson are in seventh place, with three wins each. Rounding out the top ten are George Brennan, Yannick Gingras, Jim Morrill, Jr. and Jimmy Takter, each with a pair of winning drives.

Looking ahead: The Grand Circuit heads to The Meadows in western Pennsylvania next week, with the marquee event being the $600,000 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.