Star-studded NH field

Many of the brightest and biggest stars in the world of harness racing will be at Rockingham Park on Saturday to compete in the track's signature race, the $120,000 New Hampshire Sweepstakes.

Ted Wing, a legendary horseman in the region who is on tap to drive in the New Hampshire Sweepstakes, looked over the nine horses invited to the Free-For-All Pace and told Rockingham racing officials that Saturday's edition will showcase the greatest field of harness horses ever assembled to race in New England.

"Teddy is right. This race is extraordinary. This is a once-in-a-lifetime deal for New England," said Ozzie Cole, the track's racing secretary. "We have nine of the finest horses in North America coming, and nine of the finest drivers and trainers are coming too. I am really looking forward to an outstanding race."

JK CU Later, a 4-year-old gelding who is currently the fifth leading pacer by earnings with almost $202,000 made this year, has started 18 times and won six races with four seconds and three thirds in 2007. His record is mighty impressive, especially when considered that two of those third-place finishes were to Lis Mara, arguably the best pacer in the world, in major races in recent weeks.

JK CU Later is trained by Mickey Burke, currently North America's leading trainer by both wins (250) and earnings ($3,153,261), and he will be driven by regular partner Yannick Gingras, who ranks in fourth place in money earned with over $3.4 million.

The son of Artiscape was merely 2 1/4 lengths behind the redoubtable Lis Mara last out in the $285,000 Graduate Stakes at the Meadowlands on a "sloppy" track. He clearly needs to be at his best on Saturday against the likes of Total Truth, Artistic Fella, morning line favorite Lucky NZ, and the rest.

Total Truth, a 4-year-old son of former champion and multiple world record holder Jenna's Beach Boy, will be driven by Ron Pierce. He is currently the second leading driver with over $4.1 million in earnings and 173 wins this year. Lucky NZ will be partnered with Hall of Fame driver John Campbell, and Artistic Fella, who won the $200,000 Dan Patch in a fleet 1:49.4 in April, will have sixth leading driver Andy Miller handling the reigns.

Post time on NH Sweeps Day is 1:05 p.m. and the featured event will go off at about 4 p.m. In addition to the NH Sweeps, the fields for the rest of the nine races on the undercard are outstanding and highly competitive, and every paid admission over 18 on NH Sweeps Day will receive a free instant ticket from the Granite State Lottery.

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