from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Trainer Mark Ford will send out the duo of Predator DVM and Alastor Hanover in the opening leg of the Aquarius Series for 4-year-old open pacers on Saturday night (Feb. 10) at the Meadowlands.

The $35,000 Aquarius divisions are carded as races three and 10 on the card. The top 10 money earners from the first two legs of the series advance to an estimated $75,000 final on February 24.

Predator DVM, a recent addition to the barn, is rated at 6-1 on the morning line from post two in the first Aquarius division. The 4-year-old gelding, from the first crop of Bettor’s Delight, has won nine of 21 start for owners Dean Davis and James Snyder of Wooster, Ohio. Most recently, Predator DVM was third in the Willowdale Final on January 27 at Woodbine.

“This horse won the New York Sire Stakes final last year (September 16, 2006 at Saratoga),” Ford said. “(Trainer) Ed Hart had him at two and three. I know he had some soundness issues early on, but he’s a nice little horse, one that’ll make you money. I think both my horses fit in the Aquarius well.”

Ford also handles the training duties on Alastor Hanover, tabbed at 8-1 from post seven in the second division, for owners Roger Hammer and Vicki Lynn Fair of Bedford, Pennsylvania. Alastor Hanover has won 13 of his 39 career starts and nearly $500,000 for Hammer, who was catapulted into the spotlight when he won the 2005 Hambletonian with Vivid Photo.

“I’ve known Roger pretty much all my life, but this was the first horse I trained for him,” Ford said. “We’ve had a few go back and forth since I first had him at two. This was the best 2-year-old I ever trained. Last year, he had some health issues but I think he’s coming back around. He’ll pay his way.”

Alastor Hanover also exits the Willowdale Final at Woodbine, in which he finished second.

“That was a very bad night up there weather-wise,” Ford noted.

Sunday racing features Senior Trendsetter Series

Sunday matinee racing returns to the Meadowlands this weekend with a 10-race program beginning at 1:10 p.m. The card features the opening round of the Senior Trendsetter Series for 4-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

The Meadowlands will continue on a Wednesday through Sunday live racing schedule through the end of May. Dark days are Mondays and Tuesdays (except for Memorial Day, May 28). Post times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 1:10 p.m. on Sunday. The track is dark on Easter Sunday, April 8.

Croghan and Marohn are guests on Meadowlands Racing Insider

Trainer Ross Croghan and driver Jim Marohn, Jr. are host Mike Curci’s guests on this weekend’s Meadowlands Racing Insider.

Weekly features include Horses to Watch with Darin Zoccali, Bob Heyden’s Backstretch Buzz, Ken Warkentin and Curci’s preview of the races and the Value Play Handicapping Contest.

To hear the Meadowlands Racing Insider, follow the link on the Meadowlands’ website, www.thebigm.com or http://www.sportsnetamerica.com/harness_racing_insider.html.

TVG to air Meadowlands’ Best Of 2006 show

TVG will air the Meadowlands’ Best of 2006 special at 12 midnight (EST) on Tuesday, February 13. The hour-long program showcases the most exciting racing moments of the 2006 season at the Meadowlands.

Fans that do not have access to TVG may order a copy of the Best of 2006 on DVD or VHS by calling (201) 460-4191 or e-mailing rjodice@njsea.com.