by Paul Ramlow, publicity director, The Grand Circuit

Columbus, OH — The Grand Circuit will once again make 20 stops during its 2009 racing season according to the schedule announced today by G.C. President Tom Thomson.

The Grand Circuit has been in existence since 1871, when representatives from three racetracks in different states met to create a racing circuit. The first campaign for the Grand Circuit took place in 1873, when four tracks offered $169,300 in purses. From those humble beginnings, the Grand Circuit has blossomed into a yearly showcase of the finest 2-and 3-year-old harness horses competing in North America, with purses now totaling many millions of dollars at racetracks and fairs in many areas of the continent.

The complete 2009 schedule for the Grand Circuit is as follows.

TRACK–DATES
Freehold Raceway–May 2-May 9
Hoosier Park–May 29-May 30
Meadowlands (Historic Series)–July 1-July 4
Historic Track (Goshen)–July 2-July 4
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs–July 7-July 11
Tioga Downs–July 17-July 20
Meadows–July 26-August 1
Meadowlands–August 2-August 8
Harrah’s Chester–August 9-August 16
Illinois State Fair (Springfield)–August 14-August 20
Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands–August 14-August 21
Indiana State Fair (Indianapolis)–August 21-August 22
Indiana Downs–August 22
Illinois State Fair (Du Quoin)–August 29-September 5
Mohawk–August 30-September 6
Delaware, Ohio County Fair–September 20-September 25
The Red Mile–September 29-October 10
Breeders Crown at Woodbine–October 17-October 24
Balmoral Park–November 7-November 14
Maywood Park–November 20