from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Lis Mara, the 2006 Older Pacer of the Year, will be officially retired in a ceremony after the first race on Friday night (November 16) at the Meadowlands.

The gutsy 5-year-old concludes his career with a record of 27 wins from 63 starts and $2.1 million in earnings. His accomplishments at the Meadowlands include winning the 2006 Breeders Crown.

Lis Mara raced under the banner of trainer Erv Miller and owners Mike Gulotta (Mjg Racing Stable) and (Louis) Andy Willinger. Gulotta and Willinger generously donated a percentage of Lis Mara’s earnings to Food For The Poor in Haiti and the Standardbred Retirement Foundation.

Lis Mara will stand the 2008 breeding season at Kentuckiana Farms of Ontario, located at Emerald Ridge Farm in Rockwood, Ontario.

Kings Super Markets food drive begins Friday

Kings Super Markets, Meadowlands Racetrack and the Hambletonian Society are proud sponsors of a Thanksgiving food drive to benefit the Community Food Bank of N.J.

From November 16-24, guests who bring a non-perishable food item to the Meadowlands will receive free admission for live or simulcast racing. Those making their donation on Breeders Crown night, November 24, will receive a coupon for a complimentary Breeders Crown knit cap (which is otherwise restricted to paid admissions). This offer is good while supplies last.

Kings Super Markets has long supported the Community Food Bank of N.J. The chain of upscale supermarkets has been a sponsor of both the Breeders Crown and Hambletonian for the last four years. They support the Breeders Crown with in-store posters, circulars, bagstuffers, and host BC, the Breeders Crown mascot, with in-store appearances.

Collection boxes will be available at all Meadowlands entrances. The most needed items are grains and cereals, pasta, oatmeal, canned meats, peanut butter and canned fruits and vegetables.

Meadowlands paddock renovation complete

A newly expanded race paddock will be unveiled during the opening weekend of the 2007 Holiday Harness Meet at the Meadowlands.

The paddock now accommodates 13 races, six more than the original structure. The 27,000 square foot addition, which also includes new men’s and women’s bathrooms and changing areas, completed a $10.5 million renovation of the Meadowlands paddock.

The first phase of the project, done in 2006, added new lighting, heating and cooling systems to the facility, as well as a cooking grill for the Backstretch Kitchen, which provides food service to the horsemen.