from Meadowlands Media Relations

In the world of three-year-old pacing, the fireworks are not on the Fourth of July but rather on Saturday, July 8 in pair of $50,000 elimination races for the $1 million Meadowlands Pace.

Seventeen colts and geldings were in the entry box Tuesday morning for the elimination races on Saturday night, carded as races seven and eight. From these elims will emerge a field of 10 – top five finishers in each division — for the $1 million Meadowlands Pace on July 15.

Berry’s Creek champion Artistic Fella, who carries a seven-race winning streak, and Total Truth, who captured both the $1.3 million North America Cup and $450,000 Hoosier Cup, are among the headliners for the 30th edition of the Meadowlands’ signature race for three-year-old pacers.

The top two performers of the 2006 season have drawn into different elimination races. Total Truth, with Ron Pierce listed to drive, will leave from post two in the seventh race. Artistic Fella, with Cat Manzi at the lines, drew post six in the eighth race.

The elimination winners will have their choice of post position in the $1 million final.

Western Ace, stablemate to Total Truth and the 2005 Woodrow Wilson winner, is paired with Brian Sears from post three in the eighth race while Jereme’s Jet, the two-year-old divisional champion of 2005, has the rail in the seventh race, teamed with Paul MacDonell.

Sharing the program will be the $200,000 Titan Cup, the sixth race, and a pair of $50,000 eliminations for the $650,000 William R. Haughton Memorial which will be carded as races three and five.

As part of the festivities on Saturday night, Larry Chance and The Earls will perform their biggest hits from the 1950s and 1960s in a doo wop concert sponsored by WMTR 1250 AM on in the Meadowlands’ Paddock Park. Larry Chance and The Earls will take the stage at 7 p.m. Their chart hits include “Life is But a Dream,” “Never,” “I Believe,” and “Remember When.” Rock N Rhythm, a five-person doo wop group will perform at 6 p.m. WMTR on-air personalities Chris Edwards, Tony Dee and MK, The Oldies Chick, will emcee the concert and give away WMTR merchandise.

7th Race — $50,000 Meadowlands Pace Elimination – Saturday, July 8, 2006 PP, Horse, Driver, Trainer 1, Jereme’s Jet, Paul MacDonell, Tom Harmer 2, Total Truth, Ron Pierce, George Teague Jr.

3, Shark Gesture, Brian Sears, Ervin Miller 4, Armbro Deuce, Jack Moiseyev, Blair Burgess 5, Royal Man, Yannick Gingras, John McDermott 6, Bono Bests, David Miller, Ivan Sugg 7, Perfect Union, David Miller, Jerry Silverman 8, Dave Panlone, Dave Palone, Jim Arledge

8th Race — $50,000 Meadowlands Pace Elimination – Saturday, July 8, 2006 PP, Horse, Driver, Trainer 1, My Boy David, David Miller, Homer Hochstetler 2, Real Mean Art, Yannick Gingras, John McDermott 3, Western Ace, Brian Sears, George Teague Jr.

4, Cookerosa, George Brennan, Mark Capone 5, Western Guy, Andy Miller, Jake Huff 6, Artistic Fella, Cat Manzi, Steve Elliott 7, Western Cyclone, Brian Sears, Travis Alexander 8, Fox Valley Appeal, Dave Palone, Jeffrey Smith 9, Took Hanover, John Campbell, Brendan Johnson

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The Meadowlands is still planning to be open for live racing on Wednesday night but the status of that racing will depend on a resolution of the impass over the state budget. A decision, regarding Wednesday night’s races, will be made early in the afternoon on Wednesday.

Wednesday morning baby races at the Meadowlands are canceled.

The Meadowlands Racing Office will be open to take entries at the regular time of 2:30 PM. on Wednesday.

Updates will be posted on the Meadowlands’ website: www.thebigm.com or on the track’s phone system: 201-935-8500.