by Paul Ramlow, Grand Circuit Publicity Director

This Week: Freehold Grand Circuit, Freehold Raceway, Freehold, New Jersey

Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit begins its season opening stop at Freehold Raceway this Friday (May 6) with two divisions in the $79,650 Lady Suffolk for 3-year-old filly trotters. Each division features a field of six and will race for a purse of $39,825.

The Saturday (May 7) program features the $160,850 Dexter Cup for 3-year-old colt trotters. A field of eight has been entered in the Dexter Cup, which is the first major stakes race on the road to the $1.5 million Hambletonian on August 6 at Meadowlands Racetrack.

Among the horses entered is Buzz Bomb, who was recently featured on the USTA website.

Looking ahead: Following this season opening stop, the first of 17 on the 2011 schedule, Grand Circuit action will resume in late May at Hoosier Park in Indiana.

The complete 2011 schedule for the Grand Circuit is as follows.

Track–Dates
Freehold Raceway–April 30-May 7
Hoosier Park–May 28
Historic Track (Goshen)–July 1-July 3
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs–July 5-July 9
Tioga Downs–July 14-July 18
Meadows–July 25-July 30
Meadowlands–August 4-August 6
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