by Paul Ramlow, Grand Circuit Publicity Director

This Week: Meadowlands Grand Circuit, the Meadowlands, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit concludes its stay at the Meadowlands with eight lucrative events, headlined by the $1.5 million Hambletonian Final, the second leg of Trotting’s Triple Crown for 3-year-olds. The racing kicks off on Friday (August 3) with the $50,000 Townsend Ackerman for 3-year-old open trotters. The big Saturday afternoon (August 4) card has the $1.5 million Hambletonian Final for 3-year-old open trotters, the $714,050 Hambletonian Oaks Final for 3-year-old filly trotters, the $387,250 Peter Haughton Memorial Final for 2-year-old colt trotters, the $354,450 Merrie Annabelle Final for 2-year-old filly trotters, the $309,050 Woodrow Wilson for 2-year-old colt pacers, the $268,300 Sweetheart for 2-year-old filly pacers, and two $30,000 divisions in the Duenna for 3-year-old filly trotters.

Last time: Driver Dave Palone, as usual, was the top driver during the Meadows Grand Circuit as he piloted five winners in GC action at the western Pennsylvania oval.

USTA/Ed Keys photo

Dave Palone won five times in Grand Circuit action at The Meadows.

Palone was in victory lane in a $32,932 division of the Arden Downs for 3-year-old colt trotters with Rock N Jessie. He also won a pair of $25,000 divisions of the Arden Downs 2-year-old filly trot with Coffeecake Hanover and Money And Me and a pair of $20,000 splits of the Arden Downs 2-year-old colt trot behind Smoother Ride and Shockoe Hanover.

Tony Hall and Aaron Merriman each fashioned a driving triple in Arden Downs action at the Meadows.

At the Meadowlands, Tim Tetrick led all drivers with a trio of winners in the opening of their Grand Circuit competition. Tetrick won a $70,000 Hambletonian elimination for 3-year-old trotters behind Market Share, a $35,000 Hambletonian Oaks elimination for 3-year-old filly trotters with Check Me Out and a $20,000 Peter Haughton Memorial elimination for 2-year-old colt trotters behind Dewycolorintheline.

Grand Circuit Driving Standings: David Miller continues to lead in the Grand Circuit driving standings with 10 winners. Dave Palone and Tim Tetrick are tied for second with eight winners apiece. Matt Kakaley, Jim Morrill, Jr., Ron Pierce, Ray Schnittker and Jimmy Takter share fourth place, each with five victories. Yannick Gingras and Tony Hall are tied for ninth place, each with four victories in 2012.

Looking ahead: The Grand Circuit will be off next week before heading to the Illinois State Fair in Springfield for action on August 14.

The remaining 2012 schedule for the Grand Circuit is as follows.

Track–Dates
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