from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Sundown Score [$4.80, $2.80, $2.40] angled out late in the stretch and rallied in the final strides to win by a neck in the fifth race, $40,000 open trot, on Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands.

Driven by Ron Pierce and trained by Dave Sabatelli, the eight-year-old gelded son of Final Score trotted the mile in 1:55.2.

Diamond Goal [$4.00, $3.60] finished second while it was a neck back to Saint Johns Boy [$3.40] in third.

Sundown Score notched his fourth win in his eight start of the year and increased his career earnings to $536,446 for the FS Starzzzz Stables of Glenwood, New Jersey.

Four entrants in today’s open trot — Dream Lavec, Saint Johns Boy, Diamond Goal and Scully FBI — are prepping for the three-week Su Mac Lad Series, which begins on March 21 at the Meadowlands.

Pierce in Parade – the magazine

Ron Pierce, leading driver at the current Meadowlands meet, was among those featured in “What People Earn,” the cover story of the March 14, 2004 issue of Parade Magazine.

Pierce is listed on page five of the weekly newspaper supplement as a “harness race driver” with an income of $495,000.

Parade Magazine appears in Sunday newspapers, including the Star-Ledger and Bergen Record. “What People Earn” is an annual mid-March feature of the publication.

Meadowlands to combines speedy horses and speedy dating

The nation’s most popular speed dating program, 8minuteDating, will make a stop at the Meadowlands Racetrack on Thursday, March 25, 2004.

The event for single professionals, ages 25 to 35, 30 to 40, and 40 to 50, will be held in the elegant rooftop Pegasus restaurant and bar. The cost of registration is $40 and includes dating, admission, program, and hot and cold appetizers. Age groups 30 to 40 and 40 to 50 are sold out for women — unless they also sign-up a single man.

When reserving online, first-time customers enter coupon code 8mdhoboken1 to get $8 off. Repeat daters enter coupon code xoxo for $5 off. Reservations should be made directly through 8minuteDating at www.8minutedating.com.

Live racing will begin at 7:30 p.m. (EST) and first date “post time” is 8 p.m.

At 8minuteDating events, participants have eight one-on-one dates that last eight minutes, each. If both parties are interested in meeting again, the company provides contact information so they can set up another date. The 8minuteDating company guarantees participants will meet someone they want to see again or their next event is on the company.

Pegasus to feature the flavors of French wines

France will be the next stop on the Meadowlands’ series of international wine tastings in the Pegasus Restaurant.

The French Wine Experience, to be held on Thursday, March 18, will present diners with the opportunity to taste a premium selection of Bordeaux, Rhone, and Burgundy wines.

The cost is $39.95 per person and includes wine tasting, gourmet appetizers, tax, gratuity, racetrack admission, and a live racing program. The tasting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and a program of harness racing will start at 7:30 p.m. Call (201) THE-BIGM for reservations.

The Pegasus Restaurant was a 2002 and 2003 recipient of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence.

The French Wine Experience is part of a yearlong series of tastings. Future events have been scheduled for April 22 (Australia/New Zealand), May 20 (Californian-Napa), June 24 (Italian), August 4 (Hambletonian), September 23 (Harvest-Sonoma), October 21 (South American), and November 18 (International). Here is a list of wines to be tasted this coming Thursday:

Bordeaux:
Mayne Sansac Blanc 2001
Mayne Sansac Rouge 2000
Rothschild Graves 1999
Chateau Le Vivier Medoc 2000

Burgundy:
Jean-Marc Bouley Volnay “Cailleretes” 2001
Joseph Drouchin Macon Villages 2001
Robert Arnoux Bourgogne Rhone 2001

Rhone:
Domaine de Vieux Lazaret Chateauneuf du Pape 2000
Caves des Papes Gigondas 1999
Martin Zahn Riesling 2002
Delas Cotes du Ventoux 2001

Featured Cuisine:

Scallop Napoleon with sauce perigord
Salad of asparagus and hearts of palm with champagne vinaigrette
Pave of salmon with tourne vegetables and saffron beurre blanc
Chocolate mousse with raspberry coulis