from Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – April 3, 2004 – Life Source [$4.00, $2.60, $2.20] commanded the lead at the half and pulled away to a 1:49.4 victory in the featured $40,000 open pace on Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

With Cat Manzi at the lines, Life Source claimed the lead from Image Of Dawn in a 54.2 half and took advantage of a third-quarter breather. He flew home in 26.4 to hold off the late challenge of Whosurboy [$3.00, $2.20] for a two-length tally. Art Maker [$2.60], who benefited from a second-over trip behind Whosurboy, was third.

“This is one horse that is just special,” Manzi said. “He is just a great racehorse. Every time he goes out there, he just gives you a great race.”

Trained and owned by Rich Banca, Life Source surpassed $900,000 in earnings in his 28th career win. The seven-year-old Life Sign gelding holds the Meadowlands track record of 1:48.4 for a three-year-old gelding set on August 5, 2000.

“I thought he raced super,” Banca said. “I figured the race would go the way it did. I thought he would get away and end up third or fourth and then move to the front. He’s going to Hoosier next week [for the $200,000 Dan Patch] then he’ll come back to the Meadowlands.”