by Paul Ramlow, publicity director, The Grand Circuit

This Week: Meadows Grand Circuit, The Meadows, Meadow Lands, Pennsylvania and Meadowlands Grand Circuit, Meadowlands, East Rutherford, N.J.

Schedule of events: Grand Circuit week at The Meadows continues on Monday (July 27) with five divisions in the $100,000 Arden Downs for 2-year-old filly trotters. The Tuesday (July 28) program offers five splits in the $100,000 Arden Downs for 2-year-old colt trotters. The Wednesday (July 29) card features a pair of divisions in the $74,284 Arden Downs for 3-year-old filly trotters. Thursday’s (July 30) card is highlighted by the $75,000 (est.) Arden Downs for 3-year-old colt trotters. The week of Grand Circuit racing concludes on Saturday afternoon (August 1) with the $677,665 Delvin Miller Adios final for 3-year-old colt pacers, the $225,000 (est.) Adioo Volo for 3-year-old filly pacers, and $100,000 (est.) Arden Downs events for both the 2-year-old colt pacers and 2-year-old filly pacers.

The Grand Circuit also returns to The Meadowlands this week with eliminations in five lucrative events for 2- and 3-year-olds. The schedule kicks off on Thursday (July 30) with $20,000 Merrie Annabelle eliminations for 2-year-old filly trotters. The Friday (July 31) program features $20,000 eliminations in the Peter Haughton Memorial for 2-year-old colt trotters. The Saturday (August 1) card has $70,000 (est.) Hambletonian eliminations for 3-year-old open trotters, $35,000 (est.) Hambletonian Oaks eliminations for 3-year-old filly trotters and $25,000 eliminations in the Mistletoe Shalee for 3-year-old filly pacers.

Last time: A trio of $50,000 Delvin Miller Adios eliminations were contested this past Friday (July 24) at The Meadows. The top three in each elimination will advance to this Saturday’s $677,665 Adios final.

The first elimination went to Bulletproof Enterprises’ If I Can Dream and driver George Brennan in a time of 1:49.4. The Western Hanover-Arterra colt was a 3-3/4 length winner over Ideal Danny (Tim Tetrrick) with Chasin Racin (David Miller) third.

The second elimination was captured by Jeff Snyder and Lothlorien’s Well Said (Ron Pierce) in an all-age track record of 1:49. The son of Western Hanover-Must See rolled to a two length score over Keep It Real (Brian Sears), with Schoolkids (Dave Palone) third.

The third and final elimination went to Elmer Fannin and George Teague Jr. Inc.’s Mr Wiggles (Corey Callahan) in a clocking of 1:49.1. The Badlands Hanover-Wiggle Hanover lad held off Vintage Master (Daniel Dube) by a nose, with Straight Shooting (Tim Tetrick) third.

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. Tim Tetrick is in second place with eight winners. Ron Pierce holds down third place with five victories. John Campbell, Brett Miller, and Mike Simons share fourth place, each with four triumphs. Jason Bartlett, Stephane Bouchard, Jeff Gregory, David Miller, Dave Palone, Ray Schnittker and Jimmy Takter are tied for seventh place, with three wins apiece.

Looking ahead: The Grand Circuit remains at The Meadowlands next week with the lucrative finals of the five events for which eliminations are scheduled this week. Topping the program will be the $1.5 million Hambletonian, the first leg of Trotting’s Triple Crown for 3-year-olds. In addition, the 3-year-old colt pacers join the action with the $250,000 (est.) Oliver Wendell Holmes.