It was Ashley Fairfield’s last official duty to present the trophy to the winner of the $175,000 Thomas D’Altrui Miss New Jersey on June 13, 2009 at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
One week later, on June 20, she will be crowning her successor as Miss New Jersey.
“I just loved it,” the Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey resident said. “This was my first time at a racetrack, and I planned to come back.”
Fairfield’s racetrack debut included the VIP treatment, highlighted by a ride in Danny Dale’s starting gate car.
“I kept hitting his arm and telling him to go faster,” she said, laughing. “I was afraid the horses would hit the car.”
Fairfield and her official traveling companion, Sally Johnston of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, were the guests of the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey, the sponsors of stakes for New Jersey-sired three-year-old pacing fillies and the event for colts, the $500,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic. Johnston has been accompanying the pageant winner for more than 20 years.
Prior to her starting gate ride, Fairfield presented the Miss New Jersey trophy to Showherthemoney, the daughter of Cams Card Shark who won the stakes, and trainer Bjorn 'Bernie' Noren and driver Brian Sears.
Fairfield, who earned her degree in performing arts from Richard Stockton College, plans to be a professional dancer.
“It was sad to think that this was my last duty as Miss New Jersey, but it was a great experience and I was glad I had the opportunity,” the 23-year-old added as she signed autographs and posed for photos.
(SBOANJ)