from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – January 9, 2004 – Western Gambler [$38.20, $15.00, $5.60] surged past Dream Rocket [$7.00, $4.00] in the final strides to win by a neck and capture the first of three $20,000 divisions of the opening round of The Complex Series on Friday night at the Meadowlands.

Western Gambler paced the mile in 1:52.3. Raptorial N [$3.40] finished a length and three-quarters back in third.

Driven by Ron Pierce and trained by Virgil Morgan Jr., Western Gambler notched his first victory of the year in his second start and added $10,000 to lift his bankroll to a career total of $90,893 for owners James Thomas of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; Daniel Plouffe of Bedford, Quebec and Yves Sarrazin of St. Damage, Quebec.

In the second division, ninth race, Token Favorite [$11.80, $6.00, $4.60], with driver Mike Lachance, came from off the pace to win by two lengths in 1:52.3 over Street Sign [$7.40, $4.40].

Largeandincharge [$4.40] finished three lengths back in third. Mark Harder trains Token Favorite for owners Gordon and Karin Bryan of Calgary, Alberta.

In the third division, eleventh race, Joshua [$22.80, $8.80, $3.60] and driver Yannick Gingras capitalized on a pocket trip to win by two and three-quarter lengths in 1:52.3.

Jeremiah J [$6.00, $3.20] finished second and it was three lengths back to World Harvest [$2.80] in third. Mark Ford trains Joshua for the J & J Como Jr. Inc. of Towaco, New Jersey.

The three-week Complex Series continues next Friday, with the $100,000 estimated final on January 24.

Sundown Score. Lisa Photo.

In the $40,000 open trot, carded as the sixth race, Sundown Score [$5.00, $3.20, $2.80] took control of the lead around the backside and opened up in the stretch to post his third consecutive victory by two and a quarter lengths in 1:55.4.

Golden Blend N [$6.80, $5.80] finished second and it was three lengths back to Walk Like Erkel [$6.60] in third.

Driven by George Brennan, Sundown Score is trained by Dave Sabatelli for the F S Starzzzz Stables of Glenwood, New Jersey.

In the $40,000 mares open, My Fantasy [$3.40, $2.60, $2.20] edged out Her Own Art [$3.40, $2.80] by a neck to win in 1:53.

It was a length and a half back to Casino Miss [$3.20] in third.

Driven by Jim Morrill Jr., My Fantasy is trained/co-owned by Mark Silva of Little Ferry, New Jersey; Cliff Siegel of Brooklyn, New York and Mathias Meinzinger of Central Islip, New York.