by Paul Ramlow, publicity director, The Grand Circuit

This Week: Lexington Grand Circuit, The Red Mile, Lexington, Kentucky

Schedule of events: The second week of Grand Circuit action at The Red Mile begins on Tuesday (Oct. 6) with five divisions in the $329,000 International Stallion Stake for 2-year-old filly trotters. The Wednesday (Oct. 7) card has three splits in the $313,000 International Stallion Stake for 2-year-old filly pacers. Thursday’s (Oct. 8) program features the $300,000 (est.) International Stallion Stake for 2-year-old colt trotters. The Friday (Oct. 9) card offers the $400,000 (est.) International Stallion Stake for 2-year-old colt pacers, the $300,000 (est.) Glen Garnsey Memorial for 3-year-old filly pacers, and the $200,000 (est.) Bluegrass for 3-year-old filly trotters. Saturday’s (Oct. 10) racing action features the $700,000 (est.) Tattersalls for 3-year-old open pacers and the $200,000 (est.) Bluegrass for 3-year-old open trotters.

Last time: Brian Sears was the driving star during the opening week of Grand Circuit racing at The Red Mile in Lexington.

Sears had four Grand Circuit wins, highlighted by a straight heat victory with Muscle Hill in the $600,000 Kentucky Futurity for 3-year-old open trotters. They were victorious in their $108,000 Kentucky Futurity elimination in 1:52.3, than came back to score in 1:51.1 in the $264,000 second heat final.

Brian’s other victories came behind Spicy Wings in an $88,625 Bluegrass division for 2-year-old filly trotters and Broadway Schooner in a $65,520 elimination of the Kentucky Filly Futurity for 3-year-old filly trotters.

John Campbell and Daniel Dube each added a trio of victories last week during Grand Circuit racing at the historic Lexington oval.

Grand Circuit News: Tom Thomson was elected to his 19th consecutive one-year term as Grand Circuit President at the annual officers and stewards meeting held this past Friday morning in Lexington. The remainder of the slate of officers is as follows: George Segal (Senior Vice-President); Steve Jones, Scott McKelvie and Nick Salvi (Vice-Presidents); John Cashman, Joe DeFrank and John Cisna (Director Emeritus); Carol Cramer (Secretary and Steward At Large); and Paul Ramlow (Treasurer, Publicity Director and Steward At Large).

Also at Lexington, Ray Schnittker was presented with a Delvin Miller Grand Circuit medallion as the Circuit’s leading trainer for the 2008 campaign.

Grand Circuit Driving Standings: Jim Morrill, Jr. continues to lead in the Grand Circuit driving standings as he now has 28 wins in 2009. Tim Tetrick holds down second place with 21 victories. Brian Sears has moved into third place with 18 wins. Ron Pierce checks in fourth with 17 victories. David Miller is in fifth place with 16 wins. Dave Palone holds down sixth place with 15 victories. John Campbell ranks seventh with 11 triumphs. George Brennan is in eighth place with nine wins. Daniel Dube has moved into ninth place with eight triumphs. Brett Miller and Peter Wrenn are tied for tenth, each with seven winners in 2009.

Looking ahead: The Grand Circuit heads to Woodbine Racetrack next week with Breeders Crown action for 2- and 3-year-olds of both sexes and gaits. Action begins with elimination races on Friday, Oct. 16 and Saturday, Oct. 17.