from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Shortly after the dust settles in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, harness racing’s 3-year-old colts start their stakes season in the eliminations for the $225,000 (est.) Berry’s Creek at the Meadowlands.

Two $25,000 eliminations will decide the finalists in the first major event for sophomore pacing colts this year. The top five finishers in each elimination advance to the $225,000 final on Saturday, May 10.

Mucho Sleazy, winner of the American-National at 2, headlines the first elimination and deeper of the two fields. Trained by Ken Rucker, Mucho Sleazy hit the board in 14 of 17 starts and earned $184,146 in 2007. The son of Sportsmaster is owned and bred by Marty Engel of Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Mucho Sleazy is rated the 2-1 morning line favorite from post one in the second race. Andy Miller has the driving assignment.

His competition includes Pennsylvania standout Blueridge Western, winner of seven of 13 races and $166,036 last year. The Mickey Burke trainee won an International Stallion Stake division at The Red Mile and was third in a Goshen Cup split at the Meadowlands. He is listed at 7-2 from post six with Brian Sears in the sulky.

Chicago invader Art Official is the 9-5 standout in the second elimination. He will start from post four with Tyler Buter at the lines. Art Official is two-for-two this season and enters the Berry’s Creek off a sharp 1:51.4 score at Balmoral Park. Although he was winless in 15 starts at 2, Art Official earned more than $100,000 while picking up checks in the Breeders Crown, American-National and International Stallion Stake. Joe Seekman trains the son of Art Major, who was a bargain $10,000 purchase at the Tattersalls Mixed Sale in January 2006 at the Meadowlands.

The fields for the Berry’s Creek eliminations:

$25,000 Berry’s Creek Elimination – Race 2
PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-Odds
1-Mucho Sleazy-Andy Miller-Ken Rucker-2-1
2-Cold Cape Cod-John Campbell-Tim Torbert-10-1
3-Pro Art-John Campbell-Mark Ford-3-1
4-McCedes-Cat Manzi-Chris Ryder-5-1
5-Four Starz Moxie-Tim Tetrick-Carmine Fusco-8-1
6-Blueridge Western-Brian Sears-Mickey Burke-7-2
7-Fly High-George Brennan-Ross Croghan-10-1

$25,000 Berry’s Creek Elimination – Race 3
PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-Odds
1-McArdle Park-David Miller-Joe Holloway-3-1
2-Brother Ray-Brian Sears-Ken Rucker-9-2
3-Bullville Powerful-Yannick Gingras-Stephen Crevani-4-1
4-Art Official-Tyler Buter-Joe Seekman-9-5
5-Mercantileexchange-Daniel Dube-Larry Remmen-6-1
6-Beach Boy Toy-Eric Goodell-Ross Croghan-8-1

Kentucky Derby Day at the Meadowlands – At A Glance

If a trip to Churchill Downs isn’t in the cards, being at the Meadowlands Racetrack on Kentucky Derby Day could be the next best thing.

With hundreds of television screens, plenty of dining options and drawings for Derby merchandise, the Meadowlands is the tri-state area’s best bet for watching and wagering on the most exciting two minutes in sports on Saturday, May 3.

For a gourmet dining experience, the track’s penthouse-level Pegasus Restaurant is offering an afternoon brunch package for $39.95, which includes admission and a Derby program. Buffet and a la carte dining is also available both day and night in Terraces Restaurant on the Clubhouse Level. Plus, the Kahuna Wedge will be hopping with $2.25 beers (12 oz.) and 25-cent hot wings.

Meadowlands gates open 9:30 a.m. Post time for the Kentucky Derby is 6:04 p.m. and a live Meadowlands card gets underway at 7:00 p.m.

For more information and dining reservations, call 201-THE-BIGM or visit the Meadowlands’ Web site at www.meadowlandsracetrack.com.