M1 - Daily Racing Form, the New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC announce 2012 strategic partnership

Daily Racing Form, the New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC announce 2012 strategic partnership;

 Tremendous start with gains in wagering and attendance

NEW YORK, NY (Feb. 7, 2012)   Daily Racing Form and the New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC (NMRLLC), announced they have entered into a partnership that includes a dedicated Meadowlands events page on DRF.com featuring live video and analysis that will highlight MED’s racing schedule throughout the year.  This enhanced content, along with the available online Past Performances and ability to make a wager through DRF Bets, will help to provide a complete racetrack experience to harness fans unable to get to the track.

“Our 2012 harness season is off to a tremendous start with gains in wagering and attendance,” said Meadowlands Racetrack General Manager Mike Newlin.  “The increased market exposure and coverage of Meadowlands racing through our partnership with DRF has been a strong contributor to our growth.”

On-track handle at the Meadowlands is up over 20 percent compared to the previous year, with the track reaching the $3 million mark in total handle on January 28 and nearly touching that lofty plateau again on February 4 ($2,953,675). January attendance for live racing was up nearly 18 percent, from 21,966 to 25,866, over 2011. 

“Daily Racing Form has proven it can grow handle and event awareness by using all its marketing and media resources across print and electronic platforms,” said John J. Hartig, CEO of Daily Racing Form. “We couldn’t be more pleased with this partnership and the vote of confidence we’ve received from Jeff Gural and his team.”  Hartig continued, “The opportunity to introduce the great racing at the new Meadowlands to DRF’s audience is exciting.”

Daily Racing Form has also sponsored the popular Winter Survival Challenge and will support a series of on-track promotions, including a giveaway of its daily Harness Racing newspaper, Harness Eye.

ABOUT Daily Racing Form
Daily Racing Form, "America's Turf Authority since 1894" for Thoroughbred racing horseplayers and professionals throughout North America, is the Thoroughbred industry's dominant multi-channel media company. Launched in 1894, Daily Racing Form is the only daily newspaper in the U.S. dedicated solely to the coverage of a single sport, publishing up to 2,000 unique pages of statistical and editorial copy every day, in as many as 30 daily editions, 364 days a year (with the exception of Christmas Day). Its companion website, www.drf.com is the most heavily trafficked horseracing destination, providing players with interactive past performances, exclusive handicapping tools and access to the DRF Bets online wagering platform. Additionally, Daily Racing Form publishes Harness Eye, the daily newspaper for Standardbred racing since 1964, offering news and past performances specifically for Harness players.

ABOUT Meadowlands Racetrack
The Meadowlands Racetrack has been home to the world’s greatest harness racing since 1976.  Located just 10 minutes outside New York City, the track hosts the premier event, $1.5 million Hambletonian, as well as a full slate of harness and thoroughbred simulcast action.  The Meadowlands Racetrack was privatized in 2011 and is operated by Jeff Gural’s New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC.