by Carole Hodes
MANALAPAN,
NJ – June 13, 2014 – Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande [R-11th District]
from Colts Neck, NJ defeated three other New Jersey lawmakers in the 2014
Legislators Race, an exhibition event between the first and second races on
Friday night, June 13, 2014 at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
While
Casagrande was the first across the wire, Senator Dick Codey [D-27th
District] was the first to make the appeal for the future of the Meadowlands.
“You
need to do everything you can to get slots here at the Meadowlands,” Codey said
from the winner’s circle at the Meadowlands. “Call your legislators and
demand it, demand it!”
The
quartet of legislators overcame sloppy conditions and showers as they toured
the one-mile oval in double-seat jog carts, paired with top drivers at the
Meadowlands.
Casagrande,
who was teamed with Corey Callahan, stopped the clock in 2:09.2.
Finishing
second, about five lengths back, was Codey, partnered with Yannick Gingras, who
edged out Assemblyman Ralph Caputo [D-28th District], sharing the
two-seater with David Miller. Assemblyman Ron Dancer [R-12th
District], a former professional driver-trainer and son of Hall of Famer
Stanley Dancer, was coupled with John Campbell and finished fourth.
“As
the only female in the race, my main goal was not to finish last,” said
Casagrande. “I was pretty pumped to win it.”
She
attributed her success to the talent of her partner, Corey Callahan, and the
coincidence of them both sharing the same initials – CC.
Each
of the legislators was racing on behalf of a charity with $1,000 to the
winner’s charity and $500 to each of the other three charities.
Casagrande
raced on behalf of the Ashley Lauren Foundation, Codey for the Codey Fund for
Mental Health, Caputo for the American Cancer Society and Dancer for the
Hornerstown Baptist Church.
