Contact:
Marty Bauman 631-537-3177, classic.pr@verizon.net

Bridgehampton, NY-August 27, 2006-Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, FL sped through the rain to win the $20,000 Nicolock Time Challenge as part of Manhattan Mortgage Company's Opening Day at the 31st Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show.

The pair negotiated the Conrad Homfeld designed course in a blistering time of 64.37 seconds riding Eltonn, owned by Tracey Topping of Wellington, FL. A rail down added four penalty seconds to their time but their adjusted time of 68.37 was still good enough for them to beat Joe Fargis and Ingaletta, who went clear, in a time of 68.59 seconds.

"He's not afraid to go," said Minikus of Eltonn. "I don't think the rain played a part in the results of the class other than the annoyance factor. Winning is always nice. It makes it a little sweeter to win at the Hampton Classic, one of our premier shows in the country."

Nicolock Paving Stones and Retaining Walls is the official paving stone of the Hampton Classic.

Several local divisions were also featured at the Manhattan Mortgage Company's Opening Day at the Classic. In the Local Amateur-Owner Division, the Champion was Quiet Arrival, owned and ridden by Jodi Czaplick of Speonk, NY. The Reserve Champion was Cast A Spell, owned by La Bagatelle, LLC, and ridden by Cathy Zicherman. The Local Junior Hunter Champion was Titleist, owned by Manhattan Mortgage Company and ridden by Alexandra Skiffington. Elysium and Danielle Franchi were the Reserve Champions. In the Local Working Hunter Division, Professionals, Section "A," the Champion was Cozzi owned and ridden by Kelly Klein, and the Reserve Champion Arenzano, owned by Martin Puris and ridden by Laura Bowery. In the Section "B" of the Local Working Hunter Professionals, the Champion was Gatsby, owned by Ariana Boardman and ridden by Pamela Polk. The Reserve Champion was Bulgari, owned by Manhattan Mortgage and ridden by Katie Milton. The Local Working Hunter, Non-Professional champion was Norlando owned by Christy Holzer and ridden by Marsia Holzer. The Reserve Champion was Monopoly owned by Pamela Suskind and ridden by Andrea Skiffington.

The Hampton Classic runs through Sunday, September 3. Admission is $10 per person or $20 per carload, with children under 6 admitted free. Admission is free for all on Monday, seniors are free on Tuesday through Thursday, and children under 12 are free on Saturday. Reserved grandstand seating for Sunday, September 3 is $15 per person (in addition to regular admission) or $25 per person in the special Premium Seating center sections. Parking is free throughout the week. Those unable to attend the Hampton Classic have ample opportunity to enjoy the show on television. WVVH-TV, the official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic, is broadcasting up to five hours of competition and highlights each day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen online at www.wvvh.tv .

Additionally, WCBS-TV/CBS 2 New York, the official New York television station of the Hampton Classic, will broadcast a special one-hour program of Hampton Classic highlights on Saturday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. The special will feature action from the frontlines, behind the scenes, and colorful social events connected with the Classic.

The Classic is also receiving extensive coverage on WLIU 88.3 FM, the official radio station of the Hampton Classic. WLIU will broadcast updates daily throughout the Classic as well as live programs from the Classic on Saturday and Sunday, September 2-3.

Results and further information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show are available at the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or call (631) 537-3177.