by Paul Ramlow, Grand Circuit Publicity Director

This Week: American-National stakes, Balmoral Park, Crete, Illinois

Schedule of events: Balmoral will host six lucrative American-National events on Saturday, November 14. The schedule includes the $300,000 (est.) 3-year-old colt pace, the $200,000 (est.) 3-year-old filly pace, the $200,000 (est.) Open Pace, the $200,000 (est.) Open Trot, the $180,000 2-year-old colt pace and the $154,000 2-year-old filly pace.

Last time: American-National eliminations for the 2-year-old colt pace and 2-year-old filly pace were scheduled for this past Saturday, November 7. However, with each event drawing just 10 horses, eliminations were not required and all of the horses advanced directly into this Saturday’s finals.

Grand Circuit Driving Standings: Jim Morrill, Jr. continues to lead in the Grand Circuit driving standings with 31 wins in 2009. Brian Sears and Tim Tetrick share second place with 25 victories apiece. Ron Pierce holds down fourth place with 23 wins. David Miller is in fifth place with 20 wins. Dave Palone ranks sixth with 17 victories. John Campbell is seventh with 15 triumphs. George Brennan and Mike Lachance are tied for eighth place with 10 wins each; and Daniel Dube rounds out the top ten with nine triumphs.

Looking ahead: The 2009 Grand Circuit season will conclude next week at Maywood Park. Featured races at Maywood will be the $275,000 (est.) Windy City Pace for 3-year-olds, the $150,000 (est.) Abe Lincoln for 2-year-old colt pacers, the $150,000 (est.) Galt Memorial for 3-year-old colt trotters and the $100,000 (est.) Cinderella for 3-year-old filly pacers.