by Carol Hodes, for the SBOA of New Jersey

Manalapan, NJ — Rockin Amadeus, who won the Breeders Crown at two, and the runner-up, Wake Up Peter, are among the headliners in the opening leg of New Jersey Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacers on Saturday (May 18) at the Meadowlands.

Both colts are sons of the late Rocknroll Hanover.

Rockin Amadeus, installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite in the $25,000 first division, carded as the fourth race, will leave from post three with Yannick Gingras driving for Jimmy Takter.

It will be Rockin Amadeus’ season’s debut after three qualifying victories. His last pari-mutuel outing was Oct. 27, when he won the $600,000 Breeders Crown in 1:51.2.

He was turned out for the year with three wins, three seconds and one third from 10 starts, banking $445,440 for owner-breeder Lothlorien.

Wake Up Peter, driven by Ron Pierce and trained by Tony Alagna, has been ranked the 8-5 morning line choice in the ninth race, the $25,500 second division for colts. He will leave from post two in his first effort of 2013, racing for the Wake Up Peter Partners, Brittany Farms, Louis Willinger and Eagles Soar Partners.

At two, he posted two wins, two seconds and one third from nine tries for earnings of $290,230.

One division of 11 fillies will face off in race 11, which has a purse of $45,500.

I Luv The Nitelife, runner-up in the filly division of the 2012 Breeders Crown, has been installed as the 2-1 morning line pick. Leaving from post four, the daughter of Rocknroll Hanover will be handled by Tim Tetrick.

The Chris Ryder trainee races for Richard P. and Joanne Young. At two, she posted four wins, four seconds and one third from 10 starts, banking $689,530.

Her victories at two included the $616,100 She’s A Great Lady and the $131,045 Eternal Camnation, both at Mohawk.

The New Jersey Sire Stakes finals for 3-year-olds, all with $150,000 estimated purses, will take place on June 1 at the Meadowlands.