Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Lis Mara & Artistic Fella win Haughton Elims

June 30, 2007

Allergies and other ailments might have had Lis Mara off his game earlier this month, but he resumed his winning ways with a monstrous mile in the first of two $50,000 eliminations for the William R. Haughton Memorial on Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

The top five finishers in each elimination advance to the $650,000 final next Saturday, July 7.

Driver Brian Sears worked out a perfect covered trip for Lis Mara, sitting third behind Boulder Creek as he followed Maltese Artist's brush to the front. Boulder Creek towed Lis Mara to the three-quarter marker and he sprinted by the field in 1:47.4. It was two and a quarter lengths back to Mister Big in second, while Tigerama was third.

"He put in a fine performance tonight," Sears said. "Up there in Canada, it's a beautiful country, but some horses just don't agree with the air up there. They have allergies. I think he is back on his game. The trip couldn't have been drawn up any better. My biggest fear was being fourth-over, and I ended up third-over to second-over. It was a good trip for him. He's got a big move and he never really got used until the head of the lane, so he had a lot of pop. He finished strong."

The 2006 Older Pacer of the Year improved his record to five wins in seven starts this season. He has banked $1.4 million for trainer Erv Miller and owners MJG Racing Stable and Louis Willinger.

"The last couple of races, he had us a little bit nervous," said co-owner Mike Gulotta. "He was sick with allergies and mucous. The vet cleared it up and he's back to himself. You know what, if you don't lose, than you don't enjoy the winning. Every day can't be Christmas and today was Christmas."

In the second Haughton elimination, Artistic Fella breezed to a 1:49.2 victory on the front end. Driven by Cat Manzi, the 2006 Meadowlands Pace winner held off JK CU Later for a length and a half tally. Total Truth took the inside route to finish third.

A $13,000 yearling buy, Artistic Fella has earned $1.2 million for trainer Steve Elliott and owner Joseph Alborano.

Boulder Creek, Holborn Hanover, Mypanmar and Took Hanover also advanced to the $650,000 final on Saturday, July 7.

$50,000 Haughton Elimination The MeadowlandsSaturday, June 30, 2007
PP Horse                Driver
6 Lis Mara                Brian Sears
2 Mister Big             John Campbell
4 Tigerama              Ron Pierce
3 Boulder Creek      Tim Tetrick
7 Holborn Hanover George Brennan
1 Maltese Artist       David Miller
5 Jereme's Jet         Cat Manzi
:27      :54.1      1:21      1:47.4

$50,000 Haughton Elimination The Meadowlands Saturday, June 30, 2007
PP Horse                     Driver
3 Artistic Fella                Cat Manzi
1 JK Cu Later                David Miller
2 Total Truth                 Ron Pierce
6 Mypanmar                 Brian Sears
8 Took Hanover            John Campbell
7 Load The Dice             Cat Manzi
4 Shark Gesture            Tim Tetrick
5 Buckeye One                George Brennan
:26.3      :54.3      1:23      1:49.2