from the Meadowlands Media Relations Department

East Rutherford, NJ — The second leg of the New Jersey Sires Stakes for 3-year-old pacers fields one $25,000 division each of fillies and colts at The Meadowlands on Saturday night (May 23). The top ten from the two elimination legs will race in the $100,000 finals on Saturday (May 30).

Race five is a field of ten pacing fillies with the 2014 freshman filly final winner Stacia Hanover the one to beat. The Western Ideal lass swept through both legs and the final last season, the highlights of her abbreviated five race campaign.

After a few conditioning starts this season against older, Stacia Hanover rallied from well back to be second behind Happiness in last week’s first NJSS leg, pacing her final quarter in a flat :26 for the second consecutive race.

Driver Scott Zeron has employed the “off-the-pace” style exclusively with Stacia Hanover and will have to fashion a trip from post nine on Saturday. Steve Elliott trains the filly for owners David Van Dusen and Michael Cimaglio.

The colts come up in the very next race with a field of 11 set to compete. Hurrikane Ali will draw the favorite’s role with defending NJSS champ and co-leg one winner Artspeak taking the week off.

Hurrikane Ali reduced his record to 1:50 over a deteriorating surface last week with driver Yannick Gingras never having to ask him for pace. Lightly raced at two, the Rocknroll Hanover colt has won both starts this season for trainers McDermott, John Sr. and John Jr and owners Kuhen Racing, Jonathan Klee, Dr. Ken Rucker and Robert Pucila.

There is a carryover of $124,509 in the race five Jackpot Super High 5 and $96,746 in the last race Jackpot Super High 5 as the live racing weekend begins on Friday night.

Belmont Stakes trip giveaway

With the eyes of the racing world fixed upon American Pharoah and his quest for Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, the Meadowlands is going to give one of its fans a trip of a lifetime. Fans visiting the Meadowlands during live racing can enter to win a VIP trip to the Belmont Stakes. The prize package includes clubhouse seating for four, dining in the Marquee Tent, and a parking pass. The winner will be drawn May 29. Fans must be present to win the grand prize.

The 13-race Saturday card begins at 7:15 p.m.