by Paul Ramlow, publicity director, The Grand Circuit

This Week: Historic Series, The Meadowlands, East Rutherford, New Jersey and Landmark Stakes, Historic Track, Goshen, New York

Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit opens at The Meadowlands on Wednesday (July 1) with a trio of divisions in the $94,460 Historic – Acorn for 2-year-old filly trotters and a lone race in the $71,662 Historic – Debutante for 2-year-old filly pacers. The Thursday (July 2) card features three divisions in the $91,060 Historic – Harriman Cup for 2-year-old colt trotters and two divisions in the $79,162 Historic – Goshen Cup for 2-year-old colt pacers. The Friday (July 3) card features the $79,000 (est.) Historic – Dickerson Cup for 3-year-old colt trotters, the $68,000 (est.) Historic – Coaching Club Trotting Oaks for 3-year-old filly trotters, and the $68,000 (est.) Historic – Ladyship for 3-year-old filly pacers. Action at The Meadowlands concludes on Saturday (July 4) with the $62,000 (est.) Historic – Jersey Cup for 3-year-old colt pacers.

The Grand Circuit will be at Goshen this coming week with eight Landmark Stake events for 2- and 3-year-olds of both sexes and gaits. The four Landmark events for freshmen will be held on Thursday (July 2) with purses of $22,344 (2-year-old colt pace); $17,544 (2-year-old colt trot); $11,194 (2-year-old filly pace); and $11,044 (2-year-old filly trot). The Friday (July 3) Goshen program has four races for sophomores, with estimated purses of $29,000 (3-year-old colt trot); $24,000 (3-year-old colt pace); $19,000 (3-year-old filly pace); and $16,000 (3-year-old filly trot).

Last time: Hoosier Park hosted the Grand Circuit in late May, with the featured event being the $500,000 Hoosier Cup for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers.

Elmer Fannin and George Teague Jr. Inc.’s Mr Wiggles was the winner of the Hoosier Cup, taking over the lead at the half-mile marker and holding the 12-horse field at bay in a time of 1:52.1. Corey Callahan was in the bike for trainer George Teague, Jr. as the Badlands Hanover-Wiggle Hanover sophomore held off the late surge of stablemate Chasin Racin (Peter Wrenn) to win by a quarter-length. Nob Hill High (Aaron Merriman) was third for trainer Bill Webb while another Teague pupil, Barber Pole (Brad Hanners), was fourth.

Grand Circuit Driving Standings: Seven drivers share the early Grand Circuit lead, each with one winning drive. The seven are George Brennan, Corey Callahan, George Dennis, Cat Manzi, Andy Miller, Jimmy Takter, and Tim Tetrick.

Looking ahead: Grand Circuit racing will take place next week at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. The W.N. Reynolds Memorial action will commence on Tuesday, July 7, with the $140,000 (est.) 2-year-old colt trot and the $78,000 (est.) 3-year-old filly pace.