East Rutherford, NJ (Best E Casino) - Artistic Fella, winner of eight of 12 starts this year, is the 7-5 morning line favorite for Saturday's $1 million Meadowlands Pace at the New Jersey track. This is the 30th renewal of the event.

Artistic Fella will be driven by Catello Manzi and start from post 3. This year the three-year-old pacer has earned more than $370,000 for owner Joseph Alborano and trainer Steve Elliott. Last week the colt won one of the elimination races for the Meadowlands Pace.

"Hes just a good horse and he shows it every time he goes out there," said Manzi after last week's victory. "For a second, I thought they were going to get to him but hes a little special and he knew what he had to do."

The other elimination race last week was won by 50-1 longshot Perfect Union. On Saturday night the colt will start from post 2 with driver David Miller. Perfect Union is the 5-1 third choice in the morning line. Owned by Marvin Rounick, Perfect Union has two wins this year in six starts for $49,217. Jerry and Richie Silverman are the co-trainers.

"We did a lot of work with him the past few weeks," Richie Silverman said of Perfect Union. "He's shown before he's a good horse, we know that. He was right there with Jeremes Jet and Palone Ranger in the Metro last year. I just hope he can do it again next week."

Total Truth, winner of the North America Cup, is 4-1 in the program and will start from post 5. Ron Pierce will again be in the sulky behind the colt for co-owner and trainer George Teague. Total Truth has earned almost $1 million this year with four wins in six starts.

Completing the field for the Meadowlands Pace are Shark Gesture, My Boy David, Armbro Deuce, Western Ace, Took Hanover, Dave Panlone and Real Mean Art.

Post-time for the Meadowlands Pace is set for 10:12 p.m. (et).