from Meadowlands Media Relations

East Rutherford, NJ — Rainbow Blue extended her winning streak to 16 and 2003 Two-Year-Old Pacing Filly of the Year Kikikatie both delivered easy winning performances in elimination races on Friday night and move on to the $310,000 Mistletoe Shalee Final on August 7 at the Meadowlands.

In the first $25,000 elimination, carded as the second race, 1-9 favorite Rainbow Blue ($2.10) scored a four and three-quarter length victory over Nu -Diamond Star in 1:50³. Glowing Report was third by five and a half lengths. Apple Krisp, fourth, and Life’s Image, fifth, also advanced to the final.

“I wasn’t planning on putting her on the lead tonight,” said Ron Pierce, the driver of Rainbow Blue, now a perfect 12 for 12 in 2004. “She was going real smooth until the half. Then Cat (Cat Manzi, driving Apple Krisp) came up along side, and she sped up a bit. She was just real smooth the whole race. She’s a very special filly.”

Trained by George Teague, Jr., Rainbow Blue is owned by K&R Racing and Teague Inc., both of Houston, Delaware.

There was no place or show wagering in the race.

Kikikatie ($3.40, $2.20, $2.10), making her fourth start of the year, drew off to a two and three-quarter length victory over She’s My Belle ($2.40, $2.10), who edged out Pans Culottes ($2.10). Economic Clout, fourth, and BJ’s Sunset, fifth, also have slots in the final. The daughter of Real Artist–Katies Lucky Lady, owned by L&L DeVisser LLC of Holland, Michigan, paced the mile in a lifetime best of 1:50³.

“She raced very well tonight,” said winning driver David Miller. “I think she just needed another start to get her back into top form. She seemed to be in great shape tonight.”

At two, the Joe Seekman trainee won 14 of 15 starts, suffering her only loss by a neck to Pans Culottes in the Breeders Crown Final on November 29 at the Meadowlands. This summer, after winning her first two starts, she finished third in the Tarport Hap in her only confrontation with Rainbow Blue.

“I’m really happy with her,” said Nick Giberson, assistant to trainer Joe Seekman. “She was a lot sharper than she was last week. She was on a mission after (losing) last week. She loves to win, and she’s a very sore loser. I can’t take anything away from Rainbow Blue, but I think she’ll be more ready (for Rainbow Blue) next week.”

Round two between the two formidable three-year-old fillies will be in the Mistletoe Shalee Final.

Two $25,000 eliminations determined the 10 finalists for the $432,000 Woodrow Wilson Final on August 6.

Western Trader, driven by Yannick Gingras and trained by Tom Coddington, won the first division, the fifth race, by a neck over Fitdontfailmenow in 1:53 flat. It was a half length to Up Front Jerry in third. Climb The Ladder and Jo Pa’s Shark also gained spots in the final.

“I think we got a little lucky tonight,” said Gingras. “But he still had a good trip. He was real quick in the first eighth but he didn’t seem tired after that. If he gets the same trip next, I think he’ll do just fine.”

“He got a perfect trip tonight,” said Coddington of the $7,000 yearling purchase. “He’s got a helluva burst. He’s been real good lately. We’ve been using his brush too early. He’s a very tiny colt.”

Western Trader races for David and Bonnie Sue Aurichio of Montvale, New Jersey.

Village Jolt, driven by Ron Pierce, was a neck winner over Up Front Charlie in the second elimination, pacing the mile in 1:52³. Mystic Gold was third and the other finalists will be Real One And Only and Philosopher King, fourth and fifth, respectively.

“I thought he raced super,” said Ed Hart, who trains Village Jolt for Jeffrey Snyder of New York City. “We treated him for two weeks after the New Jersey Sires Stakes final (in which he was sixth). He had a respiratory infection.”