from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — It has been unseasonably warm this winter but even when there is a chill in the air, the horses in the care of trainer Ettore Annunziata prepare for their races at the Meadowlands with a few laps in the pool.

Annunziata’s farm in the Putnam County (New York) community of Mahopac has no track. He keeps his charges fit by swimming them in an outdoor pool he built himself and heats with a boiler.

“Yea, I’m still training them in my heated pool,” the 72-year-old native of Salerno, Italy said. “If they need to be jogged, I send a few to other trainers. I can’t handle all of them because I only have nine stalls, and they’re all full. My son, Richard, has a few other horses with others trainers. The horses sure keep me young, and I’ve got very good help here.”

Annunziata has been in the business on and off for more than 30 years. He is a builder by trade and had his own contracting business, which he would fall back on when the horses were not going well.

In 2006, Annunziata’s stable at the Meadowlands earned $524,832 with nine wins, 17 seconds and 20 thirds from 112 starters. Leading the way was Hop Sing, claimed for $125,000 on December 5, 2005, who went on to earn $634,680.

Now six, the gelded son of The Panderosa makes his 2007 debut in the featured fifth race, a $35,000 winners over conditioned pace, on Saturday night (Jan. 6) at the Meadowlands.

“Hop Sing is the defending Presidential champion (stakes record of 1:48.3), but I just got to somehow get away from that horse, you know, Nuclear Breeze (winner of seven in a row). Hop Sing also set a stakes record in the Four Leaf Clover Final (1:48.4). He’s been very consistent, and I’m just trying to keep him together. He’s getting older.”

Annunziata, whose trainees are owned by his son, Richard, feels the pacer gets plenty of rest despite making 64 starts over the past two years.

“My horses rest here every week,” he said. “I wouldn’t say he was the greatest claim ever, but that’s the most money I’ve ever made with a horse. I claimed Keystone Endeavor there for $50,000 and I made over $600,000 with him. He’s standing stud in Indiana now.”

On Friday night (Jan. 5), Annunziata will send out Miss Galvinator A in the fifth race, a $35,000 fillies and mares winners over pace at the Meadowlands.

“Miss Galvinator A had a career year in 2006 (14 wins in 39 starts and $238,533),” he noted. “One of her best races came at the Meadowlands when she finished third in the Strada Memorial (on April 22) against the top mares. She was probably in top form during the summer, winning her elimination of the Roses Are Red at Mohawk (in a lifetime best of 1:51 on June 24) and finishing third in that final (on July 1).

“She finished off the year winning nine in a row (at three different tracks),” he added. “The older she gets the better she is. I think she’ll be even better this season. I’m going to keep her at the Meadowlands. She’ll be in the Winter Series (Cape & Cutter and Overbid), and then we’ll play it by ear.”

In Friday night’s 11th race, Annunziata will pin his hopes on Diamond River in a claiming handicap for $30,000 to $40,000 trotters.

“Diamond River is a trotter who has raced at the Big M for a lot of people,” he said. “Last year, he pulled a suspensory on me, but he’s just coming around again. He’s in much better shape now and finished an improved second in his last start at Yonkers.”

Meadowlands is home to top earners of the 21st century

Eight of the top 10 money earning harness drivers of the 21st century are or were based at the Meadowlands.

In statistics provided by Harness Racing Communications, David Miller topped the standings with more than $70 million banked this decade.

Miller, a transplanted Ohioan, joined the Meadowlands drivers’ colony in 1999. Meadowlands pilots Ron Pierce, with nearly $68.9 million, and John Campbell, with $64 million, occupy the second and third spots. Campbell is the sports all-time leading money earner with more than $240 million.

In fourth is Luc Ouellette with $56 million. He moved from New Jersey to Ontario in mid-2003.

Mike Lachance, with $51 million, Brian Sears, who is approaching $50.8 million, and Chris Christoforou, with $50.4 million, occupy the next level. Lachance and Sears hang their tack at the Meadowlands while Christoforou races on the Woodbine/Mohawk circuit.

Wrapping up the final three slots in the top 10 are Cat Manzi with $44.2 million, George Brennan with $40 million, and Randy Waples with $39.1 million. Manzi and Brennan are Meadowlands mainstays while Waples races in Ontario.

Annually, the Meadowlands distributes $50 million in purses during its Standardbred meets.