by Carol Hodes, for the SBOA of New Jersey

Manalapan, NJ — Eight of the colts and geldings in Saturday’s $200,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Final for 3-year-old pacers are also eligible to the $500,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic on June 13 at the Meadowlands. Seven of the 10 fillies in the $200,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Final are also nominees for the $200,000 Thomas D’Altrui Miss New Jersey, also on June 13.

Both the New Jersey Classic and the Miss New Jersey are sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey and are restricted to 3-year-old pacers who are by New Jersey-based stallions.

In the New Jersey Sire Stakes Championship for colts and geldings, carded as the ninth race on May 30 at the Meadowlands, those also eligible to the New Jersey Classic are five sons of Western Ideal: Western Posse, Vintage Master, Ideal Danny, Estero Bay and Dial Or Nodial. Other Classic eligibles include Poker Shark by Cam’s Card Shark and two by Red River Hanover, Riding The Rapids and Redneck Riviera.

The fillies looking to springboard into the Miss New Jersey include three daughters of Western Ideal: Precious Stone, JKMusicofthenite and Special Sweatheart. Two are by McArdle, Scarlet McZara and McGibson, along with Showherthemoney by Cam’s Card Shark and Arbeedo by Artsplace.

Elimination races will be held on June 5 for the Miss New Jersey and June 6 for the New Jersey Classic.