by Nick Salvi, executive director, The Classic Series

Lexington, KY — The Classic Series (TCS) rolls into The Meadowlands on Saturday for the third and last preliminary leg of the 2005 edition. Each of the four groups of TCS will go as a single division, providing several interesting match-ups.

The Pacing Classic fields 11, led by the razor sharp Dr No, recent winner of the Haughton Memorial. Canadian Pacing Derby champ Ponder and Maltese Artist, winner of the first leg at Dover in world record time, will head the competition.

The number for the Trotting Classic is also 11. Mr Muscleman has been unbelievable over the past couple of months and will look to continue his success against a solid field that includes Cash Hall, Sand Vic and Dover leg winner Chucaro Ahijuna.

The Classic Oaks will provide perhaps the most interesting race of the evening. Peaceful Way has proven invincible on her home turf in Ontario and will travel to New Jersey in the hope of broadening her horizons. Bramasole captured last week’s Perretti matchmaker with a long uncovered bid in a personal best of 1:53.1 and returns for TCS. Housethatruthbuilt, Mystical Sunshine and Windylane Hanover are all more than worthy of consideration.

The Classic Distaff lured just seven mares, but overflows with quality. Burning Point has been on fire lately and tests her current form against Carolina Sunshine, who scored a short nose victory over the former in last week’s Open. Loyal Opposition is racing her way back into the mix after a lengthy absence.

The $1 million Classic Series Finals will be raced at The Meadowlands next Saturday, July 30 as part of the twilight Hambletonian elimination card.