from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – February 13, 2004 – Minnie Horowitz, harness racing’s oldest fan, celebrated her 103rd birthday, meeting Cape & Cutter winner Molly Can Do It in the winner’s circle on Friday night at the Meadowlands.

Lisa Photo Inc.

Minnie Horowitz, harness racing’s oldest fan, celebrated her 103rd birthday, meeting Cape and Cutter winner Molly Can Do It and driver Ron Pierce in the winner’s circle on Friday night at the Meadowlands.

New York-born Mrs. Horowitz, who has resided in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, for the last four years, has celebrated her birthday at the Meadowlands for the last 25 years. Some people bring good luck charms to the Meadowlands but for Mrs. Horowitz, who was born on February 6, 1901, the Meadowlands brings her good luck.

Driver Ron Pierce, who piloted Molly Can Do It [$11.00, $5.80, $4.40] to three-quarters of a length victory, planted a big kiss on Mrs. Horowitz, who was joined in the festivities by her daughter, Elinor Schocket of Fair Lawn, and her granddaughter, Beth Donalds, of Ringwood, as well as other family and friends.

The family tradition of celebrating Mrs. Horowitz’s birthday at the Meadowlands was delayed one week by inclement weather last Friday.

“We make it a point to come here every year for her birthday,” said Mrs. Schocket. “This is my only superstition that I have that we must come here on her birthday.”

Molly Can Do It, a seven-year-old daughter of Camluck, picked up her first win in two starts this year, pacing the third-race mile 1:52.3.

“She was just super,” said Pierce of Molly Can Do It. “She had a couple of qualifiers and a good prep last week. We figured she would be just right tonight. I got her second over, and it just worked out great.”

“She is Molly,” said Linda Toscano, who trains the $850,000-earner for Blue Chip Partners of Wallkill, New York. “She is great in January, and she is great off a rest. Ron drove her to perfection. She loves flow. When there is flow in a race she is pretty dangerous. After the Cape & Cutter, she is going to be bred to Art Major. I have her through the Cape & Cutter, and then she is going to become a mom and that is all. She certainly deserves it.”

Finishing second was Carolina Sunshine [$6.60, $4.20], and it was three lengths to Jennie Fanetta [$6.80] in third.

In the first of the two $35,000 Cape & Cutter divisions, carded as the second race, Odds On Charmaine [$12.60, $4.20, $3.40], driven by David Miller and trained by Robin Schadt, caught Worldly Beauty [$2.60, $2.40] for a head victory in 1:52.2. Armbro View [$6.00] was third by four and a half lengths.

“The race plan was to take her off the gate and race her off the pace,” said Miller. “I was surprised she won from the spot she was in around the last turn. She kicked home real strong. I was real happy with her.”

Worldly Beauty, a past divisional champion and a $1.8 million earner, seemed to have the race in hand until the final strides.

“She was a lot better this week,” said trainer Patrick Lachance, whose father, Mike, was in the sulky. “I think she just got lonely on the front.”

The $85,650 Cape & Cutter on February 20 is one of six Winter Series Finals next weekend.