from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – January 16, 2004 – Token Favorite [$4.00, $2.80, $2.20] parlayed a second-over trip to a two and a half-length victory in the fourth race, the first of three $20,000 divisions of the Complex Series, on Friday night at the Meadowlands.

Lisa photo.

Token Favorite paced the mile in 1:52.4 for driver Mike Lachance.

Token Favorite kicked off the cover of Articulator in the stretch and moved to the lead despite drifting to mid-track. Token Favorite, driven by Mike Lachance, picked up his second consecutive victory in the Complex Series, pacing the mile in 1:52.4.

Riptide Hall [$6.60, $3.80], who cut the fractions, hung on for second. It was four and a half lengths back to Articulator [$2.40] in third.

“He was real good last week and tonight he was great,” said winning driver Lachance. “He had a perfect trip in the race. All he had to do was sprint in the end. Last week he got a tough trip. I was happy to give him a good one tonight. He rides to the left and he’s always been like that [he said of the drifting].”

“I was happy he got a trip and made the final,” said trainer Mark Harder. “I was worried because he was 3-5 and would have to get used in the race. But he got a nice second over trip. He’ll have a break after the Complex Final and then go into the Four Leaf Clover Series.”

Token Favorite, a five-year-old son of Jate Lobell, races for Gordon and Karin Bryan of Calgary, Alberta. He has career earnings of $169,295.

The $90,000 Complex Final will match the top 10 money earners in the first two rounds of the series on January 24 at the Meadowlands.