by Paul Ramlow, Grand Circuit Publicity Director

This Week: Hoosier Park Grand Circuit, Hoosier Park, Anderson, Indiana

Schedule of events: The Hoosier Park Grand Circuit is scheduled for Saturday (May 28) at the Indiana oval, with $600,000 in purses up for grabs.

The marquee event is the $200,000 Dan Patch for Free For All pacers. A field of eight will go to the gate at approximately 9:10 p.m. (EDT). The entire Dan Patch field, with drivers, in post position order, includes Won The West (Ricky Macomber, Jr.), Hypnotic Blue Chip (Trace Tetrick), Vintage Master (Daniel Dube), Golden Receiver (Peter Wrenn), Allthatgltrsisgold (Dave Magee), Here We Go Again (TBA), Giddy Up Lucky (Eric Goodell) and Foreign Officer (Peter Wrenn).

The program also includes 11 $40,000 Indiana Sire Stakes races for 3-year-olds of both sexes and gaits.

Last time: The 2011 Grand Circuit season opener took place earlier this month at Freehold Raceway with the $160,850 Dexter Cup for 3-year-old colt trotters and two divisions in the $79,650 Lady Suffolk for 3-year-old filly trotters.

The Dexter Cup went to Robert Key’s Ice Machine with a come from behind effort in 1:57.3. David Miller was in the bike for the Charlie Norris trainee, who scored by 1-1/4 lengths over favored Marcus Bi (Daniel Dube). Justa Jersey Boy (Andy Miller) was third.

The combination of owner Robert Key and trainer Charlie Norris also captured a $39,825 Lady Suffolk division as Pacific Splash scored in a time of 1:59.1. Norris was in the sulky for the win with the American Winner-Pacific Kathryn lass.

The other $39,825 Lady Suffolk split went to Stephen Michaels, Jim Winkse, William Weaver III and Paul Kelley’s Balmy Breeze in 1:59.2. Cat Manzi drove the Chocolatier-Southwind Palm miss for trainer Paul Kelley.

Grand Circuit Driving Standings: Three drivers share the early Grand Circuit lead, each with one winning drive. The three are Cat Manzi, David Miller, and Charlie Norris.

Looking ahead: The Grand Circuit will be off until early July, with the next stop taking place at Historic Track in Goshen, New York. The featured events will be eight Landmark Stakes for 2- and 3-year-olds of both sexes and gaits.

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

Track–Dates
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