from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Artzina and Yankee Skyscaper are among the 15 colts that have been entered in Saturday’s (May 26) eliminations for the $500,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic, the sport’s richest event for state-bred horses, at the Meadowlands.

The top five finishers in each $25,000 elimination advance to the $500,000 final on Saturday, June 2. Artzina and Yankee Skyscaper will square off in the first elimination, race two, starting from posts three and seven, respectively.

Artzina, the 2006 2-Year-Old Colt Pacer of the Year, won seven of 13 starts last year for trainer Dylan Davis. His biggest win was a 1:52.1 effort in the $221,176 Matron Final at Dover. At the Meadowlands, he won the Goshen Cup and New Jersey Sires Stakes Final and was third in the Woodrow Wilson. Breeder Kal Liebowitz of New York, New York, shares ownership of the colt with Mark Rubach of West New York, New Jersey.

Yankee Skyscaper was the leading money-winner in his freshman class with $545,000 earned. He counted the $900,000 Metro among his four victories for trainer Chris Ryder. Bred by Yankeeland Farms, he is owned by a partnership that includes Brittany Farms, Myron and Stephanie Bell, John Fodera, Martha Frank and Fred Mansoor.

Both Artzina and Yankee Skyscaper are eligible to the $1 million Meadowlands Pace on Saturday, July 14. Six New Jersey Classic champions have used a win in that race as a stepping stone to a Meadowlands Pace victory: Rocknroll Hanover (2005), Cam’s Card Shark (1994), Presidential Ball (1993), Dexter Nukes (1989), Matt’s Scooter (1988) and On The Road Again (1984). Three New Jersey Classic runner-ups have also won the Meadowlands Pace: Hot Lead (1996), Carlsbad Cam (1992) and Precious Bunny (1991).

The fields for the Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic Eliminations (driver changes to be announced Wednesday):

Race 2: 1, Ghee’s House, Yannick Gingras; 2, Watta Hotshot, John Campbell; 3, Artzina, John Campbell; 4, Art At Heart, Andy Miller; 5, Red Hot Yankee, George Brennan; 6, Fresh Deck, George Brennan; 7, Yankee Skyscaper, George Brennan; and 8, Western Smoocher, Daniel Dube.

Race 3: 1, Kinetic Yankee, Andy Miller; 2, Artist’s View, Daniel Dube; 3, Radio City, Yannick Gingras; 4, TJ’s Ideal, Brian Sears; 5, Always A Virgin, Brian Sears; 6, Friday Nite Lights, John Campbell; and 7, Artriverderci, Brian Sears.