by Paul Ramlow, publicity director, The Grand Circuit

This Week: Lexington Grand Circuit, The Red Mile, Lexington, Kentucky

Schedule of events: The first week of Grand Circuit action at The Red Mile begins on Tuesday (Sept. 29) with four divisions in the $352,500 Bluegrass for 2-year-old filly trotters. The Wednesday (Sept. 30) card has three splits in the $378,900 Bluegrass for 2-year-old filly pacers. Thursday’s (Oct. 1) program features the $300,000 (est.) Bluegrass for 2-year-old colt trotters. The Friday (Oct. 2) features are the $300,000 (est.) Kentucky Filly Futurity for 3-year-old filly trotters and the $200,000 (est.) Bluegrass for 3-year-old filly pacers. The opening week concludes on Saturday (Oct. 3) with the $700,000 (est.) Kentucky Futurity for 3-year-old colt trotters, the $400,000 (est.) Bluegrass for 2-year-old colt pacers and the $200,000 (est.) Bluegrass for 3-year-old colt pacers.

Last time: David Miller was the leading driver during the Grand Circuit’s stop at the Delaware, Ohio County Fair.

Miller made four visits to the winner’s circle in Grand Circuit stakes, capped off with his victory in the $50,300 Winbak Pace for older horses with Won The West. Miller’s other wins came with Bar Slide in the $62,127 Standardbred for 2-year-old filly trotters; Windsong Soprano in a $53,750 division of the Buckette for 3-year-old filly trotters; and Just Crowned in a $39,863 division of the Standardbred for 2-year-old colt pacers.

Grand Circuit driving leader Jim Morrill, Jr. piloted Showherthemoney to a straight heat victory in the $350,000 Jugette for 3-year-old filly pacers, while Ron Pierce was in the bike for Well Said’s straight heat triumph in the $609,150 Little Brown Jug for 3-year-old colt pacers.

Also at Delaware, David Miller and Jeff Snyder were presented with Delvin Miller Grand Circuit medallions. Miller was honored as the Circuit’s leading driver for the 2008 campaign, while Snyder was feted as the Circuit’s leading owner from the ’08 season.

Grand Circuit Driving Standings: Jim Morrill, Jr. extended his commanding lead in the Grand Circuit driving standings as he now has 27 wins in 2009. Tim Tetrick holds down second place with 19 victories. Ron Pierce is in third place with 15 wins. David Miller, Dave Palone and Brian Sears share fourth place with 14 victories each. George Brennan and John Campbell rank seventh, with eight triumphs apiece. Brett Miller and Peter Wrenn are tied for ninth, each with seven winners in 2009.

Looking ahead: The Grand Circuit continues its two week stay at Lexington’s Red Mile during the first full week of October. The highlight of the second week of racing in Kentucky will be the $700,000 Tattersalls Pace for 3-year-old colt pacers. Also in the spotlight will be the Glen Garnsey Memorial for 3-year-old filly pacers, Bluegrass stakes for 3-year-old colt and filly trotters, and International Stallion Stake events for 2-year-olds of both sexes and gaits.