Ashley Fairfield of Egg Harbor Township, Miss New Jersey for 2008-2009, will present the trophy to

the winner of the $175,000 Thomas D’Altrui Miss New Jersey on Saturday night, June 13 at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

The stakes is for New Jersey-sired three-year-old pacing fillies and shares the racing spotlight with the companion event for colts and geldings, the $500,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic as well as two $200,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes finals for three-year-old trotters.

The Miss New Jersey and New Jersey Classic are both sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey.

Fairfield, 23, who this month is completing her degree in performing arts at Richard Stockton College, plans a career in professional dance. She is interested in performing on Broadway, being a dance educator within the public school system as well as operating her own dance studio.

“If I am able to change even just one person’s life through the art of dance or through community service, my life’s mission has been complete,” she said.

She was selected as Miss New Jersey in June 2008 on a platform of volunteerism and support for Habitat for Humanity.

Fairfield was crowned at the culmination of a three-day, 22-contestant pageant at the Ocean City Music Pier. She performed a jazz dance to 'The Man from La Mancha' from Don Quixote during the talent segment of the pageant.

Her reign concludes when the next Miss New Jersey is selected on June 20, 2009 in Ocean City, New Jersey.

(With files from the SBOANJ)