by Paul Ramlow, publicity director, The Grand Circuit

This Week: Hoosier Park Grand Circuit, Hoosier Park, Anderson, Indiana

Schedule of events: The Hoosier Park Grand Circuit is scheduled for Saturday (May 29) at the Indiana oval, with $1 million in purses up for grabs. The marquee event is the $500,000 Hoosier Cup for 3-year-old colt pacers. A field of 12 will go to the gate at approximately 9:30 p.m. (EDT). The program also includes 12 $40,000 Indiana Sire Stakes races for 3-year-olds of both sexes and gaits.

Last time: The 2010 Grand Circuit season opener concluded on May 8 at Freehold Raceway with the $156,000 Dexter Cup Final for 3-year-old colt trotters and two divisions in the $80,000 Lady Suffolk for 3-year-old filly trotters.

The Dexter Cup Final went to Ray Schnittker, Jerry Silva and Arden Homestead Stable’s Flex The Muscle with a come from behind effort in 1:56.2. David Miller was in the bike for the Ray Schnittker trainee, who scored by 1-1/2 lengths over stablemate Shaq Is Back (George Brennan). Celebrity Bluechip (Tim Tetrick) was third.

Capturing $40,000 Lady Suffolk divisions were Mentally Stable Inc. and Jerry Silva’s Religulous (John Campbell) in 2:01.4 and American Viking Racing Stable, Ted Gewertz, Robert Feldman and Rojan Stables’ Sweetspellosuccess (Trond Smedshammer) in 2:00.4.

Grand Circuit Driving Standings: Four drivers share the early Grand Circuit lead, each with one winning drive. The four are George Brennan, John Campbell, David Miller, and Trond Smedshammer.

Looking ahead: The Grand Circuit will be off until late June/early July when action resumes at both the Meadowlands (Historic Series races) and Goshen Historic Track (Landmark Stakes).

The remaining 2010 schedule for the Grand Circuit is as follows.

TRACK–DATES
Meadowlands (Historic Series)–June 30-July 3
Historic Track (Goshen)–July 2-July 5
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs–July 6-July 10
Tioga Downs–July 16-July 19
Meadows–July 25-July 31
Meadowlands–August 4-August 7
Illinois State Fair (Springfield)–August 13-August 19
Indiana State Fair (Indianapolis)–August 19-August 20
Indiana Downs–August 21-August 28
Harrah’s Chester–August 22-August 27
Mohawk–September 4-September 11
Delaware, Ohio County Fair–September 19-September 23
Breeders Crown at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs–October 1-October 9
The Red Mile–October 14-October 23
Balmoral Park–November 6-November 13
Maywood Park–November 19