by Paul Ramlow, Grand Circuit Publicity Director
This Week: The Grand Circuit is off this week. Racing will resume the week of August 14 at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis, and Harrah’s Chester in Pennsylvania.
Last time: George Brennan posted a rare double during Grand Circuit action last week at Meadowlands Racetrack. Brennan became only the second driver to win the Hambletonian and the Hambletonian Oaks in the same year; Brian Sears did it first with Broadway Schooner and Muscle Hill in 2009, while Brennan duplicated the feat this past Saturday behind Broad Bahn in the $1.5 million Hambo and Bold And Fresh in the $750,000 Oaks.
Andy Miller won three Grand Circuit stakes last week at Meadowlands Racetrack. He captured a $58,625 Niatross division for 2-year-old colt pacers with Mybrothergeorge, a $50,000 Townsend Ackerman division for 3-year-old colt trotters with Whatever It Takes and a $30,000 Duenna division for 3-year-old filly trotters behind Pantholops.
David Miller, Brian Sears and Tim Tetrick each piloted a pair of Grand Circuit winners.
Grand Circuit Driving Standings: Dave Palone continues to lead in the Grand Circuit driving standings with 22 winners. Tim Tetrick is in second place with 13 victories. David Miller has moved into third place with 11 triumphs. Ray Schnittker is fourth with 10 scores. Andy Miller is now fifth with eight victories. Yannick Gingras and Brett Miller share sixth place, each with six wins. George Brennan, Ron Pierce and Montrell Teague are tied for eighth place with four wins each.
Looking ahead: The Grand Circuit will be off this week before heading to the Illinois State Fair in Springfield for action on August 15 and 16. Racing will also take place at the Indiana State Fair on August 20 and at Harrah’s Chester on August 21.
The remaining 2011 schedule for the Grand Circuit is as follows.
Track–Dates
Illinois State Fair (Springfield)–August 12-August 18
Indiana State Fair (Indianapolis)–August 19
Harrah’s Chester–August 21-August 27
Indiana Downs–August 24-August 27
Mohawk–September 3-September 10
Delaware, Ohio County Fair–September 18-September 22
The Red Mile–September 29-October 9
Breeders Crown at Woodbine–October 21-October 29
Balmoral Park–November 5-November 12
Maywood Park–November 18