from Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – January 11, 2005 – Coated with mud but happy, Cat Manzi posted his 3,000-victory at the Meadowlands with Lhasa Muscles in the third race on Tuesday night.

Manzi, 54 of Freehold, New Jersey, became only the fourth driver to win 3,000 or more races at the Meadowlands, joining John Campbell, Bill O’Donnell and Mike Lachance in that select club.

Overall, Hall of Famer Manzi has more than 10,725 victories and nearly $102 million in purses won.

Lhasa Muscles [$3.20, $2.40, $2.10], trained and co-owned by Ken Rucker, was a three-length winner over Congo Queen [$4.20, $2.60] in the second of five $12,500 first leg divisions of the Super Bowl Series for trotters. The four-year-old gelding covered the mile in 1:58.1 on a track rated sloppy. Ground Force [$2.20] was third by five and a quarter lengths.

The three-week Super Bowl Series continues next week with the second leg and concludes with a $71,035 final on January 25.