by Paul Ramlow, Grand Circuit Publicity Director

This Week: The Grand Circuit is off this week. Racing will resume the week of August 12 at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis, and Harrah’s Philadelphia in Pennsylvania.

Last time: Tim Tetrick and David Miller each posted driving doubles during Grand Circuit action last week at Meadowlands Racetrack.

Tetrick won the biggest prize, capturing the $1.5 million Hambletonian for 3-year-old colt trotters with Market Share. He also won the $309,050 Woodrow Wilson for 2-year-old pacing colts behind Captaintreacherous.

Lisa photo

Tim Tetrick guided Market Share to a 1:52.1 score in the Hambletonian.

In the Hambletonian, the second leg of Trotting’s Triple Crown, Market Share was a neck in front of Guccio, who was a nose in front of My MVP in a time of 1:52.1. The winner, a son of Revenue S-Classical Flirt, who was a $16,000 yearling purchase at the Lexington Selected Sale, is owned by Richard Gutnick, T L P Stable and William Augustine. Linda Toscano is the trainer.

Captaintreacherous took the lead on the backstretch and never looked back, winning the Woodrow Wilson by 10-1/4 lengths in 1:49.3. The time was a stakes and track record. Hail The Taxi finished second and Martini Hanover was third. Tony Alagana conditions the winner.

Miller was in victory lane in the $714,050 Hambletonian Oaks for 3-year-old trotting fillies with Personal Style and also won the $354,450 Merrie Annabelle for 2-year-old filly trotters behind To Dream On.

Personal Style pulled off a shocker in the Hambletonian Oaks, posting a neck win over Win Missy B in 1:53.1 after favorites Check Me Out and Maven both went off stride on the final turn. Driven by Miller for trainer Nifty Norman, Personal Style was sent off at odds of 55-1 and produced the second-highest win payoff in Hambletonian Oaks history, at $116.40. Sassy Syrnix was placed third after Check Me Out was disqualified to eighth for interference.

To Dream On and Miller slingshot their way into the lead in the last few lengths to win the $354,450 Merrie Annabelle Stake for 2-year-old trotting fillies in a track and stakes record time of 1:54. To Dream On is trained by Jimmy Takter. The daughter of Credit Winner-Satin Pillows is now undefeated in four starts.

Grand Circuit Driving Standings: David Miller continues to lead in the Grand Circuit driving standings with 12 winners. Tim Tetrick is in second place with 10 victories. Dave Palone checks in third with eight winners. Ron Pierce and Jimmy Takter share fourth place, each with six victories. Yannick Gingras, Matt Kakaley, Jim Morrill, Jr. and Ray Schnittker are tied for sixth place, each with five victories. Tony Hall rounds out the top ten with four wins in 2012.

Looking ahead: The Grand Circuit will head to the Illinois State Fair in Springfield for action on August 14. Racing will also take place next week at the Indiana State Fair on August 16 and at Harrah’s Philadelphia on August 19.

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

Track–Dates
Illinois State Fair (Springfield)–August 13-August 19
Harrah’s Philadelphia–August 16-August 19
Indiana State Fair (Indianapolis)–August 16
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