from Meadowlands Media Relations

Cat Manzi is still a man with a mission.

Through Christmas, a rare day off for the harness driver from Freehold, New Jersey, he has 715 victories this year and tops the list of all drivers in North America.

Manzi is well on his way toward winning the title of dash champion for the first time in his illustrious career. He will be at the Meadowlands on Saturday afternoon, December 31, to tie up the loose ends. The Meadowlands will have a 2:30 p.m. post time on New Year’s Eve.

Manzi comes into the final week of the year with a sizeable lead over Tony Morgan, with 682 wins, and Ontario-based Mark MacDonald with 674.

But the Hall of Famer is not resting on his laurels. He plans to drive at both Freehold and Dover Downs on Monday, he has no assignments for Tuesday, he will drive at Freehold on Wednesday and will be back at the Meadowlands when the track resumes live harness racing on Thursday, December 29 at 7:30 p.m.

At 55, Manzi will be the oldest driver to win the title of leading race-winning driver in North America. He ranks second in all-time total victories with more than 11,400.

He has already exceeded his personal best which was 687 wins in 1989. That year he finished second to Herve Filion’s 814. Manzi was also the runner-up in 1990, with 641 wins to Filion’s 660, and in 2004, with 651 wins to Dave Palone’s 670.

“It’s important to me that I win this,” Manzi said. “I’ve never been able to win it. I’m close enough now that I think it’s sewn up.”

This year Manzi, who was inducted into harness racing’s Hall of Fame in 2001, has driven horses who have earned more than $8.5 million in purses, a personal best for Manzi.

There is no indication that Manzi plans compete with any less determination in 2006.

“I don’t know really [when I will retire],” he noted. “I’m sure the end is out there, but I’m not concerned with it. When it happens, I’ll know.”

Manzi resides in Freehold with his wife, Ellen, and their children: Matthew, Timothy and Jane.