by Paul Ramlow, publicity director, The Grand Circuit

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

Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit concludes its stay at The Meadowlands with nine lucrative events, headlined by the $1.5 million Hambletonian Final, the first leg of Trotting’s Triple Crown for 3-year-olds. The racing kicks off on Thursday (August 6) with the $125,000 (est.) Countess Adios for 2-year-old filly pacers. The Friday (August 7) program features the $125,000 (est.) Niatross for 2-year-old colt pacers and the $50,000 (est.) Townsend Ackerman for 3-year-old open trotters. The big Saturday afternoon (August 8) card has the $1.5 million Hambletonian Final for 3-year-old open trotters, the $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks Final for 3-year-old filly trotters, the $525,800 Merrie Annabelle Final for 2-year-old filly trotters, the $523,600 Peter Haughton Memorial Final for 2-year-old colt trotters, the $375,000 (est.) Mistletoe Shalee for 3-year-old filly pacers, and the $250,000 (est.) Oliver Wendell Holmes for 3-year-old colt pacers.

Last time: Driver Brian Sears and trainer George Teague, Jr. had a day to remember last Saturday in Grand Circuit action at The Meadows. Teague conditioned seven winners on the day, with Sears piloting five of them.

The duo combined their skills by winning three $20,000 divisions of the Arden Downs 2-year-old colt pace with Delmarvalous, Dr Dreamy, and Oakmont, while adding a pair of $20,000 Arden Downs 2-year-old filly pace splits with Fancy Filly and Tee Time.

Teague also sent Beignet (Tim Tetrick) and Fancyfreeshark (Dave Palone) to the winner’s circle in a pair of additional $20,000 Arden Downs splits for 2-year-old colt pacers.

Sears added a sixth winner on the day at The Meadows by piloting Blogette Hanover to the winner’s circle for trainer Bill Zendt in a $112,983 division of the Adioo Volo for 3-year-old filly pacers.

Sears also had three winners in Grand Circuit action at the Meadowlands last week, as well. He was in victory lane behind Muscle Hill ($70,000 Hambletonian elimination), Broadway Schooner ($35,000 Hambletonian Oaks elimination) and Holiday Road ($20,000 Peter Haughton Memorial elimination).

Grand Circuit Driving Standings: Jim Morrill, Jr. continues to hold a commanding lead in the Grand Circuit driving standings with 24 wins so far in 2009. Brian Sears and Tim Tetrick share second place with nine winners each. Dave Palone checks in fourth with eight winners. John Campbell, Brett Miller and Ron Pierce hold down fifth place, each with seven victories. David Miller is in eighth place with six wins. Mike Simons is in ninth place with four triumphs. Jason Bartlett, Stephane Bouchard, George Brennan, Cory Callahan, Daniel Dube, Jeff Gregory, Ray Schnittker and Jimmy Takter are tied for tenth place, with three wins apiece.

Looking ahead: The Grand Circuit heads to Harrah’s Chester next week, with its Super Stakes Sunday scheduled for August 16.