by Paul Ramlow, Grand Circuit Publicity Director

This Week: Delaware Grand Circuit, Delaware County Fair, Delaware, Ohio

Schedule of events: Grand Circuit action begins on Wednesday (Sept. 21) with the $292,350 Jugette for 3-year-old filly pacers, a single division in the $96,800 Buckette for 3-year-old filly trotters, and two divisions in the $66,232 Standardbred for 2-year-old filly trotters. The big Thursday (Sept. 22) racing program is headed up by the $526,800 Little Brown Jug, the second leg of Pacing’s Triple Crown for 3-year-olds. Thursday’s Grand Circuit action also includes the $147,000 (est.) Old Oaken Bucket for 3-year-old trotting colts, the $72,000 (est.) Standardbred for 2-year-old colt trotters, the $65,300 (est.) Standardbred for 2-year-old colt pacers, and the $55,000 (est.) Standardbred for 2-year-old filly pacers.

Last time: Jody Jamieson was the driving star earlier this month as the Grand Circuit concluded its stay at Mohawk Racetrack. Jamieson made four visits to the winner’s circle in the 15 Grand Circuit stakes events.

Jamieson captured the $206,672 Simcoe Stakes for 3-year-old filly trotters behind Southwind Amiga; took both divisions of the Champlain Stakes for 2-year-old colt pacers, scoring with Machapelo in a $150,506 division and Speed Again in a $148,506 split; and also won with Up The Credit in a $117,644 Simcoe Stakes division for 3-year-old colt pacers.

Andy Miller and Randy Waples each won two Grand Circuit stakes at Mohawk.

Grand Circuit Driving Standings: Dave Palone continues to lead in the Grand Circuit driving standings with 22 winners. Tim Tetrick is in second place with 17 victories. David Miller holds down third place with 14 triumphs. Andy Miller and Ray Schnittker share fourth place, each with 10 scores. Yannick Gingras, Jody Jamieson, Brett Miller and Ron Pierce are tied for sixth place, each with six wins. Montrell Teague and Peter Wrenn share tenth place with five wins each.

Looking ahead: The Grand Circuit begins its two-week stay at Lexington’s Red Mile on Thursday, Sept. 29. The opening week features the Kentucky Futurity, the third leg of Trotting’s Triple Crown for 3-year-olds; the companion Kentucky Filly Futurity for sophomores; and Bluegrass events for 3-year-old pacers and 2-year-olds of both sexes and gaits.

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

Track–Dates
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