from Meadowlands Media Relations

East Rutherford, NJ — 2004 Older Pacing Mare of the Year Loyal Opposition ($2.60, $2.20, $2.10) and Artbitration ($5.20, $2.80, $2.10) each scored victories in their $35,000 divisions of the Cape and Cutter Series on Friday night at the Meadowlands.

Loyal Opposition, with George Brennan in the sulky, took control of the lead around the backside and held off a late charge from Queen Otra ($8.00, $2.80) to win by a half length in 1:53.1. Ascending ($2.60) finished a half length back in third.

Lisa Photo Inc.

Arbitration won a photo finish over Burning Point in the second division of the Cape and Cutter.

Trained by Ervin Miller, Loyal Opposition posted her second win of the year in three starts and increased her lifetime earning to $1,883,653 for owner Daniel Waxman of Ancaster, Ontario.

In the fifth race, second division, Arbitration won the photo finish by a nose over Burning Point ($3.20, $2.40) in 1:53.3. It was a length back to She’s My Belle ($2.40) in third.

Driven by Patrick Berry, Artbitration posted her second straight victory in this series for trainer/owner Norm Parker of Houston, Pennsylvania and Thomas Klosky, Jr. of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.

The Cape and Cutter Series concludes with a $91,600 final on Friday, February 25.

In Exit 16W action, Master This ($5.80, $3.40, $2.80) capitalized off a pocket trip to win the fourth race, the first of two $20,000 divisions, by two lengths over Lil Ang Fra ($3.40, $2.80) in 1:51.3. Dave Aint Here ($3.80) finished two and a half lengths back in third.

In the seventh race, second division, Fran Cam ($11.00, $7.40, $5.40) skimmed the pylons to snag the lead in the final strides and win by a neck in 1:52.1. Silver Flash ($6.40, $8.20) finished second and it was two lengths to his entry mate Shu Hanover ($6.40, $8.20) in third.

The $71,000 Exit 16W Final will be contested on Saturday, February 26.