from the Meadowlands Media Relations Department

East Rutherford, NJ — The Meadowlands Championship Meet takes flight this weekend with the first leg of both the New Jersey Sires Stakes for sophomores and the Graduate Series for 4-year-olds.

The NJSS (all purses $25,000) trotters race on Friday with Hambletonian winter book favorite Southwind Frank making his debut amid a bulky field of 12 colts (race six) and freshman Breeders Crown winner All The Time comes out in the first of two filly divisions (race two).

Saturday night’s card is heavy with talent.

Boston Red Rocks makes his seasonal bow in the NJSS colt pace (race 11) and Blue Moon Stride is back to defend her NJSS tiara in the filly competition (race five).

The Graduate trot split into a pair of $50,000 divisions with Wings Of Royalty, who comes in off last week’s 1:51.4 upset win in an overnight race, leading race two from the rail.

The 2015 Trotter of the Year Pinkman catches a tough field (race six) that includes Musical Rhythm and Maestro Blue Chip, a duo that had modest sophomore campaigns but have morphed into unbeaten early season sensations. Something’s got to give in what promises to be a slugfest.

Nine pacers were declared for the $75,000 Graduate pace (race eight) with another emerging star in Confederation Cup winner Rockin Ron looking to extend his 10-race seasonal unbeaten streak in that field.

Saturday is Preakness Day and a large crowd is expected to watch Nyquist attempt to advance to possible Triple Crown winner status. Make your reservations early via The Meadowlands website.

Post time is 7:15 p.m.