from Meadowlands Media Relations

Armbro Barrister and Self Obsessed, both driven and trained by Ray Schnittker, swept the first two divisions of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for three-year-old colt trotters on Monday afternoon at the Meadowlands.

In the $25,000 third race, Armbro Barrister opened up to a sizable lead entering the stretch and dug in under urging for a two and a half-length victory in 1:57. Enflammatory [$7.20, $4.00] was second best, while Desert Classic [$2.80] recovered from an early break in stride to finish third.

A $50,000 yearling purchase, Armbro Barrister recorded his sixth victory in 18 career starts. The son of Malabar Man-Armbro Rocker improved his career bankroll to $116,787 for Schnittker, Earl Scheelar of Hamburg, New York, Jace Adkins of Lake View, New York and Kelk’s Inc. [Ronald Kelkenberg] of Lockport, New York.

Self Obsessed [$3.40, $3.40, $2.60] emerged the winner of a tight photo finish in the $25,600 fifth race sire stakes division. He tipped to the outside past the half-mile marker and rolled to a short lead over the pacesetter Il Pirata in the stretch. Show Me The Monet [$22.40, $9.00] closed quickly up the rail and just missed nipping Self Obsessed at the wire. Il Pirata [$11.00] fought back gamely against his challenger to finish third, just a neck behind.

It was the fourth win in five starts this season for the blue-blooded Self Obsessed, a $75,000 yearling purchase by Schnittker, William Perretti of Cream Ridge, New Jersey and John Rizzo of River Edge, New Jersey. The son of the stakes-winning mare Vernon Blue Chip and 1999 Hambletonian winner Self Possessed improved his bankroll to $130,800.

In another close finish, Al Dente Hanover [$30.80, $6.00, $3.80] got up in the final strides to best Hurri Kane Billy G [$2.60, $2.20] by a neck in the $25,600 sixth race, the third and final sire stakes division on the card. Bar Exam [$2.80] inherited the lead entering the stretch but faded to third.

Driven by Ron Pierce and trained by Joe Caraluzzi, Al Dente Hanover trotted to a 1:56.1 victory in his 2004 debut. The gelding was winless in three starts last season for owners Kenneth Klein of Bedford Corners, New York and Jeffery Zeiger’s Old Block Stables of New York, New York. A $27,000 yearling purchase, Al Dente Hanover is by Donerail out of the mare Almost An Angel, a winner of nearly $500,000.

All three sire stakes winners are eligible to the estimated $350,000 Stanley Dancer Trot on July 16 and the $1.2 million Hambletonian, harness racing’s most coveted prize, on August 7 at the Meadowlands.

MEADOWLANDS IS BEST BET FOR BELMONT STAKES DAY

Souvenir giveaways, prize drawings and unique wagering opportunities make the Meadowlands Racetrack an attractive alternative for racing fans who do not want to brave heavy traffic and long lines to watch Smarty Jones’ bid for the Triple Crown at Belmont Park on Saturday.

The first 8,000 paid admissions will receive a souvenir Smarty Jones photo and 15 guests will win a $100 betting voucher on the Belmont Stakes.

Gates at the Meadowlands will open at 10:30 a.m. Admission to the Grandstand and Clubhouse is just $1 day and night. Seating in the Clubhouse Teletheatre is available for $2; advance reservations are recommended, as seating is limited.

A menu of 24 simulcast tracks, combined with a program of live harness racing, creates non-stop day and night racing action at the Meadowlands. The Meadowlands has moved first race post time to 7:05 p.m. on Saturday to dovetail with the Belmont Stakes. A unique daily double wager will be offered, pairing the Belmont Stakes and the first race at the Meadowlands.

Post time for the Belmont Stakes is expected to be 6:44 p.m.

Meadowlands guests will be able to comparison shop for odds on the Belmont Stakes, wagering either through the Belmont pool or one that is based at Monmouth Park.

Terraces at Trackside will be open for dining, starting at 11:30 a.m. A deli menu will be available at Franchises on the Grandstand Mezzanine. Concessions stands will offer a Triple Crown Special – a hot dog, pretzel and small soda for $3 – day and night.

The Kahuna Wedge Bar in Paddock Park will serve up drinks and live music by Total Eclipse from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Advance wagering on the entire Belmont Stakes program will be available on Friday, June 4, starting at noon.

PICK 6 & GUARANTEED PICK 4 MOVE TO THURSDAY THIS WEEK

The Meadowlands’ $50,000 guaranteed Pick 6 and Pick 4 wagers move to Thursday nights for the remainder of the harness meet, starting June 3.

The weekly Pick 6 wager, which was introduced on March 24 as a Wednesday night feature, produced a record payoff of $41,000 on May 5.

The Pick 4 wager, which carries a $50,000 guarantee one night a week and $75,000 on Saturdays, produced a record $2 payout of $95,264 on March 24.

The switch from Wednesday to Thursday was made in conjunction with the shifting of Cal Expo’s racing dates to Thursday nights and the strength of the Meadowlands’ Thursday cards in the summer months.

MEADOWLANDS RACING SCHEDULE REMINDER

Tuesday through Saturday night schedule in the month of June – 7:30 p.m. post;
Exceptions: Dark on Tuesday, June 1 [open for simulcasting];
Belmont Stakes Day [Saturday, June 5] — post time 7:05 p.m.