by Paul Ramlow, Grand Circuit Publicity Director

Columbus, OH — The Grand Circuit will make 17 stops during its 2012 racing season according to the schedule announced today.

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 2012 schedule for the Grand Circuit is as follows.

TRACK–DATES
Freehold Raceway–April 28-May 4
Hoosier Park–TBA
Historic Track (Goshen)–June 29-July 1
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs–June 30-July 7
Tioga Downs–July 19-July 22
Meadows–July 23-July 28
Meadowlands–August 2-August 4
Illinois State Fair (Springfield)–August 13-August 19
Harrah’s Chester–August 16-August 19
Indiana State Fair (Indianapolis)–August 17
Indiana Downs–August 22-August 25
Mohawk–September 1-September 8
Delaware, Ohio County Fair–September 16-September 20
The Red Mile–September 27-October 7
Breeders Crown at Woodbine–October 19-October 27
Balmoral Park–November 3-November 10
Maywood Park–November 16