from Meadowlands Media Relations

East Rutherford NJ [February 20, 2005] – Fate’s Place [$5.40, $3.20, $3.00] cleared the lead past the half and dueled with Boo’s Boy [$3.80, $3.80] to the wire for a neck victory in the first of three $12,500 Senior Trendsetter divisions on Sunday’s matinee card at the Meadowlands.

Driven by Brian Sears and trained by Michael Taub, Fate’s Place scored his second straight Senior Trendsetter victory in the afternoon’s seventh race. The four-year-old Artsplace gelding paced the mile in 1:52.3. K-Jack [$6.40] held on for third.

Lisa Photo Inc.

Fate’s Place scored his second straight Senior Trendsetter victory Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands.

Fate’s Place improved his record to two wins and two seconds in five starts this season for owner Ken Jacobs of Baldwinsville, New York.

The other Senior Trendsetter winners were Armbro Becalm [1:51.4] and Hi Ho Silver Star [1:53.4].

The $77,000 Senior Trendsetter Final is next Sunday, February 27. The Senior Trendsetter is one of six Winter Series Finals worth $492,350, including a pair of stakes for distaff pacers on Friday, February 25 — the $91,600 Cape & Cutter and $79,500 Tender Loving Care — and a trio of events for male pacers on Saturday, February 26 – the $78,250 Aquarius, $71,000 Exit 16W and the $95,000 Junior Trendsetter.

IT’S BOMBS AWAY WITH BERRY!

It was a good day to bet on driver Patrick Berry at the Meadowlands.

The 29-year-old reinsman reeled off three straight longshot winners on Sunday afternoon. He paid $96.20 to win the third race with 47-1 shot Mysteries of Light, $63.80 in the fourth with 30-1 shot The Lead, and $68.80 in the fifth race with Abra.

WINTER FESTIVAL WEEKEND RICH IN RACING

The Meadowlands hosts the biggest racing weekend of the season with nearly $500,000 in stakes finals to be contested during the 10th annual Winter Festival, Friday, Saturday 25 through Sunday, February 27.

Loyal Opposition, the 2004 Older Pacing Mare of the Year, and back-to-back prelim winner Artbitration headline the field for the $91,600 Cape & Cutter on Friday night. Co-featured that evening is the $79,500 Tender Loving Care for three-year-old fillies, a match-up of Mary Sue Too and Vegas Style, both repeat winners in the series’ preliminary rounds.

The $95,000 Junior Trendsetter for three-year-old pacing colts tops the trio of stakes on the Saturday card. Trainer Chris Ryder’s speedy colt Four One One will try to complete the series sweep, while Live Out Loud, who paid double-digits to win both prelims, may not offer as nice a price in the $78,250 Aquarius Final for four-year-old open pacers.

Master This, who flashed a final quarter of 25.3 in winning last week’s prelim, and Francam, winner of his last two, head the field for the $71,000 Exit 16W Final.

The stakes action continues on Sunday as Fate’s Place, Armbro Becalm and Hi Ho Silver Star battle it out in the $77,000 Senior Trendsetter Final.

Complementing the $492,350 in stakes on the track are the Meadowlands’ NHHC Qualifier Tournament on Saturday and the 10th annual Winter Festival Indoor Carnival on Sunday.

The NHHC Qualifier is $400 to enter ($200 entry fee plus $200 required bankroll) and registrations are being accepted through Friday, February 25. In addition to the estimated $50,000 prize pool (based on 250 entries; subject to change) up for grabs, the top two finishers receive an automatic entry into the $105,000 (estimated) NHHC Final on Saturday, April 2 at the Meadowlands. The top 25 finishers receive a discounted entry, based on their order of finish, into the NHHC final.

On Sunday, the grandstand is transformed into an indoor winter carnival, featuring inflatable rides, games, snow board simulator, sand & spin art booths, balloon giveaways, caricaturists, clowns, face painters, strolling characters and a music DJ. The family-themed activities will run from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and are included in the track’s $1 general admission fee.

2005 Winter Festival at the Meadowlands – At a Glance

Friday, February 25 through Sunday, February 27, 2005

10th Annual Winter Festival
Six Winter Series Finals worth a total of $492,350
Carnival Games for Children on Sunday

Friday, February 25, 2005
Post time 7:30 p.m.
$91,600 Cape & Cutter
$79,500 Tender Loving Care

Saturday, February 26, 2005
Post time 7:30 p.m.
$78,250 Aquarius
$71,000 Exit 16W
$95,000 Junior Trendsetter
Big M National Harness Handicapping Championship Qualifier in RaceWorld.
Pre-registration required, $200 entry fee plus $200 betting card
Prize money for first 10 finishers
Top two earn spots in the NHHC Final on April 2, 2005 at the Meadowlands.

Sunday, February 27, 2005
Post time 1:10 p.m.
$77,000 Senior Trendsetter
Winter Carnival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Grandstand Level
Inflatable rides, carnival games, interactive activities, face painters, clowns, music DJ, WPLJ promo team