from Meadowlands Media Relations

The night after Brian Sears set a Meadowlands track record of 48 consecutive programs with at least one win, the streak was snapped.

Helping to end that streak were a pair of Hall of Famers who had four-winner nights * Ron Pierce and John Campbell. It was Campbell’s record of 47 consecutive nights in 1986 that was broken by Sears on Thursday night.

Sears was in all 12 races on Friday night with six seconds to his credit.

Pierce’s quartet of victories came with Future Destiny [$2.80] in the second, Always A Threat [$8.40] in the third, Francam [$10.20] in the eighth and Back Off [$7.80] in the 11th.

Campbell’s grand slam included Whitesand Jewel [$15.40] in the fifth, Four Starzz Meliss [$18.20] in the seventh, Johns My Buddy [$6.60] in the 10th and 50-1 Al Dente Hanover [$102.60] in the 12th.

SIEGELMAN RECOVERING FROM CAR ACCIDENT

Trainer Robert Siegelman is taking the weekend off to recover from a one-car accident that took place in the stable area at the Meadowlands.

“I was driving this morning [Friday, May 19] on the backstretch here,” Siegelman explained. “It was raining pretty hard. I am not exactly sure what happened next. My foot was on the accelerator, and I hit a pole. I was halfway between the track and my barn. Next thing I know, my head is in the airbag. I was pretty shaken up.

“I wound up taking the Meadowlands ambulance to Hackensack [University Medical Center],” he recalled. “I had an MRI done * nothing broken. My head is pretty swollen and my right knee is four times the size of the other. I needed a few stitches. It was the freakiest thing. My neck hurt a little bit. But tonight [Friday, May 19], I’m feeling somewhat better. I’ll be back on Monday.”

ORANGE COUNTY-MADE BLUE CHIP CHOPPER TO APPEAR IN HAMBLETONIAN PARADE

In addition to the equine stars, the 2006 Hambletonian Festival Parade will feature horsepower custom made by Orange County Choppers.

Tom Grossman, owner of Blue Chip Farms in Wallkill, New York, will send his custom Blue Chip Chopper to the parade in Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 29, which serves to kick-off to the 2006 Hambletonian Festival at the Meadowlands. The bike was made by Orange County Choppers, which has garnered worldwide praise for its custom made motorcycles that are featured on the popular Discovery Channel show American Chopper.

The Blue Chip Chopper features chrome plated horseshoes on the front fender; a mural of the farm on the back fender; a gas tank in the shape of the Little Brown Jug [after the horse race of the same name]; and a leather seat embroidered with a horse. The bike’s transmission features a painting of the farm’s stallion Art Major and the shift is designed like the handle of a driver’s whip. The bike will be on display in Rutherford’s Lincoln Park after the parade for motorcycle enthusiasts who wish to get an up-close look.

The state’s largest equine parade, the fourth annual Hambletonian Festival Parade begins at 10 a.m. and covers the mile distance to Lincoln Park where there will be racing displays, food vendors, pony rides, clowns and games. Harness racing’s leading drivers and trainers will greet fans and sign autographs.

A few hours after the last unit passes the reviewing stand, the action moves to the Meadowlands Racetrack for a twilight racing program that begins at 5 p.m. and includes elimination races for the Hambletonian and the Hambletonian Oaks, the sport’s most prestigious events for three-year-old trotters, along with a quartet of Breeders Crown events for older horses.

Nearly 70 horses, four marching bands, two dozen antique vehicles, past Hambletonian winners and other dignitaries, including Miss New Jersey, participated in the 2005 parade. The parade is the first major event of the weeklong Hambletonian Festival at the Meadowlands, leading up to Hambletonian Day on Saturday, August 5.

For more information visit www.thebigm.com or call 201 THE BIGM.

MEADOWLANDS WRAPS UP SUNDAY MATINEES

Two $18,000 divisions of the Hiram Woodruff Series for trotters highlight the final Sunday card of the season at the Meadowlands.

Next week, the Meadowlands will race live Wednesday through Saturday, May 24 through 27 and Monday, May 29 [Memorial Day, post time: 1:10 p.m.]. The track will be dark on Sunday, May 28 and Tuesday, May 30.

Beginning May 31, the Meadowlands’ harness racing schedule switches to four nights weekly, Wednesdays through Saturdays [7:30 p.m. post time] through August 5. Post time exceptions are July 29 [5 p.m. post time], Breeders Crown night, and August 5 [11:30 a.m.], Hambletonian Day.

Turf Mondays, a trio of Monday afternoon live thoroughbred programs of all grass racing, will be offered on June 5, 12 and 19 with 1:10 p.m. post time.

MEADOWLANDS HOSTS A MEMORIAL DAY PARTY IN THE PARK

If sitting bumper-to-bumper in shore traffic on Memorial Day does not sound appealing, the Meadowlands Racetrack has a winning alternative.

On Monday, May 29, the track will host an outdoor Party in the Park, featuring live music by Jimmy and The Parrots and activities such as carnival games, a rock wall, speed pitch and obstacle course. Gates open at 11 a.m.; the money-winning excitement of live harness racing beings at 1:10 p.m.