by Nick Salvi, Executive Director, The Classic Series

While the Kentucky Derby brings the focus of most Americans to horse racing on the first Saturday in May, the Saturday night card at The Meadowlands gives cause for the interest and excitement to carry over into the evening hours. The Classic Series (TCS) second preliminary leg heads a top quality card that will also feature two eliminations for the Berry’s Creek three-year-old colt pace.

As was the case in leg one at Dover, TCS will encompass six events, with the Classic Oaks and Pacing Classic each splitting into two $60,000 divisions. The Oaks will go as races two and three on Saturday. The first division pits the two winners from leg one, Windylane Hanover and Lost Lady One, against each other and five other worthy foes. Division two features 2003 Breeders Crown champ Stroke Play and the winner of the 2003 Oaks Final, Scully FBI in another field of seven.

The $85,000 Classic Distaff goes as race six and the same stellar cast of characters that put on such an exciting show at Dover is expected to square off once again. Bunny Lake staked out her territory with a narrow 1:50.2 World Record victory over Carolina Sunshine. Burning Point has a better post for this one and Eternal Camnation now has one under her belt.

The $85,000 Trotting Classic drew twelve entrants and is listed as race eight on Saturday’s program. Elegant Man and Y Chance It won the splits at Dover and both return to TCS to find Canadian sensation War Paint and recent Meadowlands winner Rockymosa Raptor added to the mix.

The Pacing Classic divisions are both heavy with talent. The first goes as the tenth race and boasts the three top pacers thus far in the 2004 season. Eaton Road Kill was unbeatable at The Meadowlands earlier this season. His stable mate in the Mark Harder barn, Luckyisasluckydoes, has been sensational of late, cruising to a World Record 1:49.1 win in leg one of the Series. Back after a short layoff is Canadian invader Escape The Wind, who dominated the Aquarius series at The Meadowlands through the month of February.

Division two has Four Starzzz Shark, winner of his seasonal debut in Cadillac style last week, closing out his 1:50.3 mile with a 25.4 final quarter. Camcracker and Life Source will not make it easy for “The Shark” to repeat.

First post at The Meadowlands on Saturday is 7:30. Follow Classic Series developments by visiting www.theclassicseries.com.