from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

Ritch Art puts his three-race winning streak on the line in the final preliminary round of the Senior Trendsetter Series for four-year-old pacers on Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands.

The top 10 money-earners in the first two weeks of series action advance to the $87,400 final on Sunday, February 22.

Ritch Art drew into the fourth race, the second of four $12,500 Senior Trendsetter divisions on the card. He will start from post six for driver Cat Manzi and is rated the 9-5 morning line favorite.

The four-year-old son of Perfect Art wired the field in 1:52.3 in last week’s opening round of the series.

“It worked out for us [last week],” trainer Darby Miller said.

“We got a cheap half. Every time I have raced him, he has been on the front end. I have been told he is better from off the pace. It is not all that easy. The field we have been in and the trips we have had have been going well. But, it is not going to be easy by any means. It is going to be a competitive race.”

Miller took over the training duties for Ritch Art on January 15. The stallion is owned by Northfield Park’s 2003 leading driver, Greg Grismore, and Thomas A. Cummins of Celina, Ohio. Ritch Art recorded five wins, one second and two third-place finishes in 18 starts for earnings of $26,658 during his sophomore campaign in 2003.

“They bought him as a yearling, and I got him in January,” Miller said. “He is a pretty easy horse to train.”

Miller, who grew up in Ohio, now resides in Steger, Illinois and campaigns primarily on the Chicago circuit.

“I have been on my own for five years,” the 30-year-old conditioner said. “I have 25 in Chicago right now and six out here [stabled at Magical Acres in Chesterfield, New Jersey]. I go back and forth between here and there. I brought these horses out here because they have series.”

GREAT RACING AND ENTERTAINMENT CONVERGE DURING WINTER FESTIVAL WEEKEND

Six series finals worth a total of $486,825, a jazz concert and an indoor carnival are all part of Winter Festival Weekend at the Meadowlands.

On Friday, February 20, the top older pacing mares in training step out in the $86,650 Cape & Cutter Final. Among the Cape & Cutter contenders are millionairess Worldly Beauty, 2002 Breeders Crown champion Molly Can Do It and Odds On Charmaine, who won both of her preliminary Cape & Cutter divisions.

Also featured on the Friday card is the $76,500 Tender Loving Care for three-year-old pacing fillies. Repeat preliminary winners Gussie Herman and Shesaporsche top the series standings for the Tender Loving Care.

Four series finals, a $100,000 Pick 4 guarantee and all-superfecta wagering highlight one of the most popular annual programs, Winter Festival, on Saturday, February 21. The featured events are the $95,000 Junior Trendsetter for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers, the $72,275 Aquarius for four-year-old open pacers and $70,000 Exit 16W for four-year-olds and under.

The Brett Pelling-trained trio of Best Of Show, Art Aficionado and Point Well Taken head the list of contenders for the Junior Trendsetter. Dream Rocket, who won both of his preliminary legs, and Iron Legend, the Clyde Hirt champion, are among the contenders in the Exit 16W. The Roger Mayotte-trained entry of Escape The Wind and Border Patrol, and Ben Wallace’s protégé Pronger are among those competing for the lion’s share in the Aquarius.

The evening marks the return of Superfecta Saturday, with superfecta wagering offered on all 13 races. The superfecta, which has a low 15 percent takeout, requires bettors to correctly select the first four in the official order of finish. In addition, there will be a guaranteed $100,000 Pick 4 pool that evening. The Pick 4, which begins with race six, requires bettors to correctly select the winners of four consecutive races.

The Meadowlands’ first all-superfecta card on Saturday, January 24, which also featured a guaranteed $75,000 Pick 4 with a $32,000 carryover, produced the highest on-track and total handles of the 2004 meet. Just over $1.2 million was wagered on the 13-race program, for a total handle in excess of $5.25 million. The average superfecta payout was a hefty $6,748.95.

The 2003 Winter Festival Saturday card produced a total handle of $5,532,293.

Alex Bugnon brings the sounds of smooth jazz to Pegasus Restaurant that evening. Tickets are $75 for the CD 101.9 FM-sponsored event, and include a gourmet Mardi Gras-themed buffet dinner, racetrack admission, live racing program and tax and gratuity. Beverages are not included. Pegasus opens at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 9 p.m.

The theme is family fun on Sunday, February 22 with an indoor carnival in the Grandstand. For the kids, there are interactive rides and games, clowns, face painting, caricatures and entertainment by DJ Bobbi. Activities include a snowboard simulator, foozeball and air hockey tables, sand art, spin art and an MTV booth. Character appearances include Cat in the Hat, Dora the Explorer, and SpongeBob SquarePants.

All activities are included in the $1 grandstand admission fee.

The racing action for adults that day includes a live program of harness racing, featuring the $87,400 Senior Trendsetter Final for four-year-old stallion and gelding pacers. First race post time is 1:10 p.m. Gates open at 11 a.m. and the Winter Carnival continues until 4 p.m.

2004 WINTER FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE

Friday, February 20

Stakes:

* $86,650 Cape & Cutter
* $76,500 Tender Loving Care

Saturday, February 21

Entertainment:

* Jazz concert by Alex Bugnon, sponsored by Smooth Jazz CD101.9 FM.
* Tickets are $75 and include a gourmet Mardi Gras-themed buffet dinner, racetrack admission, live racing program and tax and gratuity. Beverages not included.
* Concert begins at 9 p.m.
* Call 201-THE-BIGM for reservations.

Racing:

* $95,000 Junior Trendsetter
* $72,275 Aquarius
* $70,000 Exit 16W
* Guaranteed $100,000 Pick 4 pool
* Superfecta wagering on every race

Sunday, February 22 – Family Day

Entertainment:

* Indoor winter carnival on the Grandstand Level, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
* Admission to Grandstand Level only $1
* Clowns
* Caricatures & face painting
* Carnival games
* Snowboard simulator
* Foozeball & air hockey tables
* DJ Bobbi
* Sand & spin art
* Inflatable rides
* MTV booth
* Character appearances: Cat in the Hat, Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants.

Racing:

* First race post time: 1:10 p.m.
* $87,400 Senior Trendsetter