from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — After 10 months away from the races, it would not have been surprising that a horse might need a start or two to be able to reach the winner’s circle.

Not Don Boss Vita, who won last week at the Meadowlands in his first start since June 4, 2004.

The performance was impressive enough for driver Brian Sears to select him over the United States Trotting Association’s February Horse of the Month, Chucaro Ahijuna, in the $154,200 Su Mac Lad Final on Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands.

Don Boss Vita is rated the 7-2 morning line second choice from post two in the sixth race feature. Mr Muscleman, the 2004 Older Trotter of the Year, has been installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite.

Don Boss Vita, a six-year-old son of Donerail, won by a neck over Mohammed Mali in the second of two Su Mac Lad prelims last Sunday, extending his winning streak to five.

Alvin J. Beiler, a blacksmith from Felton, Delaware, purchased Don Boss Vita and had almost immediate success until injury sidelined the trotter.

“I was looking for a good horse early last year, and I knew that Per Henriksen had one he liked that was for sale, Don Boss Vita,” Beiler explained. “So I got together and worked out a deal with him and bought the horse. I watched him train, and the vet checked him out and we made the deal. We raced him, and he was doing well for us but in his fifth start, he got claimed for $59,000. We decided to take him back the following week when he went in for $60,000. Then we took him out of there (claimers) and put him in the non-winners (conditions).

“Kevin Lare was my trainer back then,” noted Beiler, who turned over the care of the trotter to his fiancée, Virginia Lee Louthan. “We had a couple of placings, then won four in a row. But he (Don Boss Vita) had a suspensory problem, and we decided not to continue with him. We gave him plenty of time off, for six to eight weeks or so, nothing. Then we jogged him lightly a couple of miles a day as it was healing. We took our time with him. His attitude was good throughout. He does get a bit aggressive when you hitch him to the cart. So most of the time we tow him along with the others. That way he stays calm. Even now he gets ornery when hitched to the bike.”

Beiler has made Don Boss Vita eligible to the Cutler, Titan Cup, Classic Series, Breeders Crown and Maple Leaf Trot. A win in the Su Mac Lad will also earn him an invitation to the Nat Ray on Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands. It would be quite a comeback for the trotter.

“He told us when he was ready (to return),” Beiler added. “That’s why he missed the first leg (of the Su Mac Lad). I just didn’t feel it was time. This Sunday, in the final, I’m hoping for a good performance. I’m hoping he comes on strong at the end.”

Magician, who won the Su Mac Lad in 2000, 2001 and 2002 and set the stakes record of 1:53.4, will be honored on Sunday.

He leaves the racing field of battle with 49 wins, 14 seconds and 14 thirds from 111 starts and earnings of $3,579,103, most for trainer Earl Cruise and driver David Miller. Miller will parade him for the last time after Sunday’s second race, bringing him to the Meadowlands’ winner’s circle for retirement ceremonies.

$154,200 Su Mac Lad Final – Race 6 – Sunday, April 10
PP, Horse, Driver, ML
1, HP Paque, Trond Smedshammer, 10-1
2, Don Boss Vita, Brian Sears, 7-2
3, Cordial Martini, Jim Morrill Jr., 15-1
4, Chucaro Ahijuna, John Campbell, 5-1
5, Mohammed Mali, David Miller, 8-1
6, Hurri Kane Billy G, Yannick Gingras, 10-1
7, Mr Muscleman, Ron Pierce, 2-1
8, Dink Adoo, Cat Manzi, 8-1
9, Hunt M Down, Eric Ledford, 20-1
10, ENS Snapshot, Mike Lachance, 15-1

Around The Meadowlands for April 8, 2005

Qualifiers this week were moved to Saturday morning, starting at 10:00 a.m. Ten events are carded.

Tim Tetrick, who flew in from Chicago for eight drives last Saturday night, only to see them washed out when the card was canceled, will try again this weekend. He is named on four for trainer Robin Schadt on Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

“What are you going to do,” he said. “I missed out on the eight drives (at the Meadowlands) because of the weather, and 12 drives at Balmoral (who did race). I did get a flight out early the next morning (Sunday).”

Three top-class pacers make their 2005 debuts in Saturday night’s eighth race, a $47,500 open — Articulator, Boulder Creek and Georgia Pacific.

Norm Parker, trainer and co-owner of Artbitration, has high hopes for the mare in Saturday night’s $100,000 Thomas Strada Memorial, a fillies and mares invitational carded as the sixth race.

“She wasn’t in the Overbid, so this works out well for us,” he said. “I never let her down the past month or so. She qualified on the off track excellent and even did it dragging me around with her. She’s better and healthier than last year. Her race last week (third in the mares open), I was quite happy with it. She no longer has to race on or near the front end. She’s clearly more versatile this season. Post position two allows us to control our own destiny to a certain degree. We know that Loyal Opposition is going to be forwardly placed at some point. We just want to be right there with her.”

Parker will turn the lines over to Patrick Berry.

“Patrick has surprised me this year,” he noted. “Racing at the Meadowlands I guess maybe that is it, but he isn’t out and gunning with everything. He’s shown patience I’ve never seen from him before.”

Berry acknowledged that he is trying to suit Artbitration’s preference.

“I definitely 100 percent adapted to (her style of racing),” he said. “She told me. I follow her lead. There was a time when I wanted to duck her, but she had other ideas, so I had to go on with her early. I like to be able to race her from off the pace at times if I can. Last week’s race off the mini-layoff I thought was very good.”

Stonebridge Kisses brings a two-race winning streak into the Strada Memorial.

“She’s shown that she can kick in each week when they get to the three-quarters in 1:24 or 1:25,” said driver Yannick Gingras. “Now the question is whether or not she can do the same when they get there in 1:22. I hope she can. I can’t say for sure, but it wouldn’t surprise me if she did.”

George Brennan has the call behind Loyal Opposition, the Strada 5-2 morning line favorite, who has won three, sweeping the Overbid Series.

“If she is on her game, they have to come and get her,” noted Brennan. “She is the one to beat. She’s good and sharp right now, and I’m very happy with her.”

Jet Lag N, who won the inaugural Strada Memorial last year, is back to defend her title, drawing post eight and driver Eric Ledford in the feature.

Prize money totaling $1,000 is available through the Marie Hill Youth Writing Award, a contest for children 18 and younger.

The deadline for entries — articles or poetry about harness racing — is May 31, 2005. The winning author receives $500 and will be published in Hoof Beats magazine. There is additional prize money of $250 for second, $100 for third and $25 for six honorable mentions. The contest is offered by the United States Trotting Association and sponsored by California-based horse owner Christopher Schick. There are no length restrictions but only one entry per person may be submitted.

For more information, contact Anne Chunko at sep@ustrotting.com or call 877-800-8782, extension 3260. Entries should be mailed to: Marie Hill Youth Writing Award, c/o Hoof Beats, 750 Michigan Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215.