by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Freehold, NJ — Trainer Julie Miller’s entry of Dolce Ducci and Ellen’s Isle was established as the 2-1 favorites for Thursday’s (Jan. 27) $58,000 Super Bowl series final at the Meadowlands.

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Dolce Ducci has been an impressive winner in each of his starts in the Super Bowl series.

Dolce Ducci, to be driven by Miller’s husband, Andy, is 2-for-2 this year. He is coming off a 4-3/4 length victory in his division of the series last week. He won in 1:55.4. He won his opening round by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:57.1.

The Andy Miller Stable owns Dolce Ducci. He was purchased for $30,000 at the Tattersalls Mixed Sale last August.

“He showed some talent and he looked good at the sale,” Julie Miller said recently. “Andy and I thought he would be a nice complement to our barn. We have no long-range stakes plans with him. As long as he is trotting soundly, we’ll keep racing him each week at the Meadowlands.”

Ellen’s Isle, a mare, was beaten by a neck by Zeitgeist last week. She won her opening Super Bowl division by six lengths in 1:55.3. John Campbell will drive in the final. She is owned by Joseph Krizan, Jason Allen and Douglas Allen.

“She is very fast,” Miller said. “The only issue is her getting a little over excited when she races. She is the real deal. It is hard for a mare to go with the likes of Buck I St Pat, but I think it is attainable that she steps up. Right now, though, I am just hoping to get through this series.”

Zeitgeist, driven by Brian Sears and trained by Henrik Lundell, is 4-1 in the morning line. Lundell co-owns the horse with Peter Barbato. They purchased Zeitgeist for $20,000 at November’s Standardbred Mixed Sale. The horse has won five of six starts for Lundell.

“As long as I’ve had him, he hasn’t let another horse pass him,” Lundell said. “He broke once (in a conditioned race on December 3, 2010) when he got a little rough near the end. He’s certainly caught the winning habit, yet he hasn’t got too hot. He’s really nice to drive. He can race from anywhere. He’s very versatile and I like that. He seems to be getting better every week. He’s the star of my barn right now. It’s great to win races at the Meadowlands because that’s when people see you.”

Zeitgeist will start from post No. 1. The rest of the field in post position order is Fortissimo, Dolce Ducci, Willie Count, Ellen’s Isle, Doully, Political Muscle, Jeanie Marie, Alcarine, and Monsignor Flan.