by Lynne Snierson, publicity director, Rockingham Park

Salem, NH — Many of the finest pacers in North America will compete at Rockingham Park on Saturday in two $20,000 eliminations for the final of the $100,000 New Hampshire Sweepstakes, to be held at the track the following Saturday.

In the first $20,000 elimination heat, Artesian heads a list of invaders from The Meadowlands and Yonkers set to do battle for a spot in the final on August 21.The four-year-old son of Artiscape and Hula Dancer, who is based at The Meadowlands and has been racing against top flight competition, finished a very impressive third in a $200,000 U.S. Pacing Championship division in his last start on August 7.

Nvincbl Artist, Coastocoast Yankee, Joshua, Landmark Honor, and Armbro Animate will take their places alongside Artesian when the starting gate rolls.

In the second $20,000 elimination, local favorite Whosurboy, who has won two of his last three starts at Rockingham and loves the racetrack here, will take on five other talented pacers shipping in from out of town.

Among the fierce competition is Boulder Creek, the winner of the prestigious $552,500 Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands two starts back on July 31.

Art Attack, Glors Boy, Quarter Carat, and Whatanartist round out the field.

For Glors Boy and Landmark Honor, the races will be a homecoming as Landmark Honor competed in last year’s $100,000 New Hampshire Sweepstakes and Glors Boy won the $25,000 Mountain Skipper Series here in 2003.

The two eliminations will be paced as the seventh and tenth races on Saturday’s 11 race card.

Also on Saturday, everyone 21 or older can register to win a prize package from Miller Lite which includes two tickets to the Nextel NASCAR race in September at New Hampshire International Speedway, admittance to the Miller Lite corporate hospitality tent, and a buffet luncheon.

On Wednesday, Bruce Ranger continued his hot streak in winning another five races, to bring his record-setting season total to 159 victories.

Live racing resumes on Friday, post time 1:05 p.m.