by Paul Ramlow, Grand Circuit Publicity Director

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

Schedule of events: The American-National eliminations will be contested on Saturday, Nov. 6. On tap will be the $20,000 eliminations for both the 2-year-old colt pacers and the 2-year-old filly pacers.

Last time: John Campbell was the driving star during the second week of Grand Circuit racing at The Red Mile in Lexington with four stakes wins. He was triumphant behind Lucky Chucky in a $121,500 division of the Bluegrass Stakes for 3-year-old colt trotters, Strike An Attitude in a $117,000 International Stallion Stake split for 2-year-old filly pacers, Kash’s Cantab in an $89,300 division of the International Stallion Stake for 2-year-old colt trotters and Luckycharm Hanover in an $88,300 International Stallion Stake split for juvenile trotting colts.

Brian Sears had a trio of winners, scoring with Feel Like A Fool in a $146,000 International Stallion Stake division for 2-year-old pacing colts, Break The Bank K in a $121,500 Bluegrass split for 3-year-old colt trotters and Miss Sue V in a $90,000 International Stallion Stake race for 2-year-old filly trotters.

Rock N Roll Heaven enhanced his claim to Horse of the Year honors as he captured the $604,000 Tattersalls Pace, the richest event of the week at The Red Mile, in a time of 1:48.1. Daniel Dube was in the bike for owner Frank Bellino and trainer Bruce Saunders as the Rocknroll Hanover-Artistic Vision colt won for the 13th time in 18 trips to the post this year, with earnings of $1,831,527. He has now banked more than $2.4 million lifetime.

Grand Circuit Driving Standings: Tim Tetrick remains in first place in the Grand Circuit driving standings as he now has 29 victories in 2010. John Campbell has moved into second place with 21 winners. Ron Pierce and Brian Sears share third place, each with 19 triumphs. David Miller and Jim Morrill, Jr. are tied for fifth place, each with 18 winners. Yannick Gingras holds down seventh place with 14 victories. Dave Palone is in eighth place with 13 triumphs. George Brennan is ninth with ten victories. Daniel Dube rounds out the top 10 with eight winners in 2010.

Looking ahead: The Grand Circuit will remain at Balmoral Park next week with six lucrative events – the $260,000 (est.) 3-year-old colt pace, the $225,000 (est.) pace for 4-year-olds and up, the $200,000 (est.) trot for 4-year-olds and up, the $190,000 (est.) 3-year-old filly pace, the $160,000 (est.) 2-year-old colt pace final and the $145,000 (est.) 2-year-old filly pace final.