from Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – July 21, 2004 – Ken Warkentin [$6.60, $3.00, $2.40] caught 3-5 favorite Magic Swan [$2.40, $2.20] in the stretch and drew off to a six and a quarter length victory in the sixth race, the $150,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Final for two-year-old trotting colts on Wednesday night at the Meadowlands.

Southwind Utica [$2.60] was third by seen and a quarter lengths.

Ken Warkentin, named for the Meadowlands announcer and TV host, trotted the mile in a lifetime best of 1:56.1.

The two-year-old son of Yankee Glide – Jambo now has two wins and a third in three starts.

Driven by David Miller and trained by Jimmy Takter, Ken Warkentin is owned by Christina Takter of East Windsor, New Jersey, and John Fielding of Toronto, Ontario. Fielding is reported to have sold an interest in the colt this week to Tie Domi, right winger for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In two $76,000 divisions of the Countess Adios for two-year-old pacing fillies, winning efforts were turned in by Up Front Norma and Crystal Slipper.

Up Front Norma [$6.00, $3.00, $2.40], driven by Dave Palone and trained by Kelly O’Donnell, paced the mile in 1:53.3, finishing one-length in front of Sand Bunny Hanover [$3.60, $2.60]. Jate’s Abby [$5.40] was third by three and a half lengths.

The daughter of Dragon’s Lair extended her winning streak to four in her Meadowlands debut. She races for Ed Mullinax of Amherst, Ohio and Frank Dettore of North Ridgeville, Ohio.

Crystal Slipper [$13.60, $6.40, $4.40], driven by Cat Manzi and trained by Bill Popfinger, won the second division, the ninth race, by a length and a half. Sub Rosa Hanover [$12.40, $8.00] was second and it was six and a quarter lengths to Fox Valley Shaker [$4.80] in third.

Crystal Slipper, owned by the Piermont Farms of Piermont, New York, paced the mile in 1:54 flat for her second win in five starts.