from Meadowlands Media Relations

Ron Pierce captured both $50,000 Su Mac Lad Trot divisions, guiding Hez Striking and Yankee MJ to victory on Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands.

Lisa Photo

Hez Striking drew off to a two and three-quarter-length victory in the first division of the Su Mac Lad, covering the mile in 1:55.2.

Hez Striking [$3.20, $2.40, $2.10] drew off to a two and three-quarter-length victory over Mr Dream OM in the first division, the third race, covering the mile in 1:55.2.

Smooth Muscles [$2.60] was six and a quarter lengths back in third.

Hez Striking, trained by Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman, races for J. Bart Glass of Stanford, Kentucky, and Robert Kauffman of New Albany, Ohio. The seven-year-old son of Striking Sahbra now has two wins and a third in three starts this year. His lifetime bankroll tops $700,000, with 26 wins, nine seconds and six thirds from 64 tries.

Pierce picked up his third winner of the card in the tenth race with Yankee MJ [$18.40, $7.20, $4.00], who caught Great George Two [$6.20, $3.40] in the final strides for a half-length victory. Muscles Marinara [$2.80] was third by two and three-quarter lengths.

The mile, on a surface downgraded to good from rain showers, was timed in 1:56.2.

Yankee MJ, owned and trained by Mark Silva of Little Ferry, New Jersey, is a five-year-old gelded son of SJ’s Photo, with three wins, one second and one third in eight starts this year. This victory pushed his lifetime earnings over the $100,000 mark. He has nine wins, four seconds and two thirds from 32 career outings.

The three-week Su Mac Lad Series for free for all trotters continues next week with a final worth $126,500 on April 9.

AROUND THE MEADOWLANDS FOR MARCH 26, 2006

The claiming game has been especially busy this year at the Meadowlands. Through March 25, there have been 261 claims, worth a total of $8,483,335, which has yielded $294,956 in sales tax for the State of New Jersey. Through the same date last year, there were only 208 claims worth $7,274,900. This year’s highest priced claim to date was $112,000 for Art Maker on January 28 by the partnership of the Engel Stable, Rucker Stable, D R Van Witzenberg and Sheffield Stable. The most popular horse has been Bust Out who was claimed seven times for prices ranging from $40,000 to $50,000. Talk Forever has changed hands six times in the $20,000 to $30,000 range. Three horses have been claimed five times this meet: Cartman, Eyes On Kassa and Iwasborntoboogy N. The Meadowlands record was set in 2000 when 726 horses were claimed for a total of $24.7 million.

The Meadowlands Racetrack’s 2006 Harness Media Guide is now available on the track’s website at: http://www.thebigm.com/mediaGuide.asp. The printed edition will be available in mid-April.

Pegasus Restaurant will begin another season of wine dinners on Thursday, March 30 with a five-course meal, featuring selections from Antinori, which concentrates on the wines of Tuscany and Umbria. The featured selections are Montenisa Sparkling, Castello Della Sala Chardonnay 2004, Peppoli Chianti Classico 2003, Tenute Marchese Riserva 2000 and Vin Santo. The price of the dinner is $70 per person [includes admission and live racing program; excludes tax and gratuity. Call 201-THE-BIGM for reservations. Upcoming wine dinners include Simi Winery on Friday, April 28 and Franciscan Oakville Estate on Thursday, May 18, which will feature a menu designed by renowned chef and culinary pioneer David Burke. For complete details and menus, visit the Meadowlands’ website, www.thebigm.com