from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – January 31, 2004 – Iron Legend [$5.80, $3.20, $2.60] provided a fitting birthday present for Tammy Silva when he captured the $90,000 Clyde Hirt Final, the featured fifth race on Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

Lisa photo.

Iron Legend’s victory in the Clyde Hirt Final was his third win in four starts this year.

The four-year-old son of Life Sign drew off to a two and a quarter length victory over Worlds Apart [$3.60, $2.40] for his third win in four starts this year. He paced the mile in 1:52.2.

Liberal Arts [$3.60] was third by three and a half lengths.

Mark Silva, who shares training and caretaking duties with his wife, Tammy, purchased the pacer with Mathias Meinzinger of Central Islip, New York for $100,000 after a second-place finish in the first leg of the Hirt Series on January 8. Iron Legend is half-way toward earning back his cost.

“The trip worked out good,” said Ron Pierce, the winning driver. “We had the eight hole and dropped into a nice big spot. I thought Jimmy [Morrill with Visitor Parking] was going to clear but when I saw he wasn’t, I decided to sit against the wood. On the last turn, Jim’s horse got tired, and I got out. My horse had plenty of pace. This was Tammy Silva’s [31st] birthday, and this was a great present for her.”

“We ended up working out a good trip,” said Mark Silva. “I was just hoping he’d be able to get out at the top of the stretch. As soon as he got out, he was super good.”

The victory earned Iron Legend $45,000 toward a career bankroll of $100,753. He improved his lifetime record to seven wins, four seconds and four thirds in 20 starts.

Iron Legend’s next start will be in the first leg of the Exit 16W Series, which begins on February 6 at the Meadowlands. The $75,000 estimated final will be on February 21.