Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – This weekend,
faithful Meadowlands fans will get 24 live races on which to wager, and in
addition, will have a string of stakes races offered via simulcast.
The Big M will have 12-race live
programs on both Friday and Saturday, with each getting underway at the usual
7:15 p.m. Friday night will feature an appearance by the defending Dan Patch
Horse of the Year, Hannelore Hanover. “Hannelore needs a race and this is the
track that suits her best,” said trainer Ron Burke. “I’m just keeping her fit.”
In addition to the live Big M races
on Saturday, many a watchful eye will be on simulcast screens tuned to racing
at Pennsylvania’s Pocono Downs (post time 7 p.m.), where the five-eighths mile
track will serve up a powerhouse four-pack of stakes on Races 9-12, with each
serving as a final prep before major events that will be contested at the Big M
on Meadowlands Pace Night.
The $300,000 James Lynch Memorial for
3-year-old fillies on the pace kicks off the stakes superfecta, followed by the
$500,000 Max Hempt Memorial for 3-year-old pacers, $500,000 Ben Franklin for
free-for-all pacers and $500,000 Earl Beal Memorial for 3-year-old trotters.
The Lynch serves as a prelude to the
Big M’s Mistletoe Shalee, the Hempt to the Crawford Farms Meadowlands Pace, the
Franklin to the William Haughton and the Beal to the Stanley Dancer. The four
Meadowlands’ events take place on July 14.
Also on the Saturday simulcast menu
is the $175,000 Cleveland Trotting Classic from Northfield Park, which features
2016 Hambletonian winner Marion Marauder.
JUMP INTO THE POOL: The Big M’s 50-Cent Pick-4 was
popular as always last weekend as a total of just over $178,000 was poured into
the pools over the two racing programs.
Free
program pages for the Meadowlands' Pick-4, courtesy of Track Master, are
available on the Meadowlands’ website (www.playmeadowlands.com) and on the
handicapping section at www.ustrotting.com.
The Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super
High-Five’s carryover has reached new heights. It now stands at $265,472 and is
up for grabs in Friday night’s finale. Both the Pick-4 and JSH5 offer low 15
percent takeouts.
CALLING ALL
MILLENNIALS: On Saturday night, college students can enter to win one of ten
$1,000 college scholarships sponsored by Jeff and Paula Gural’s Allerage Farm.
Those showing a valid college ID will receive a voucher good for a $5 wager as
well as a free program.
They’ll also a be a
handicapping contest that night for those 18-30 years of age and the guaranteed
prize pool of $5,000 is also being sponsored by the Gurals.
Coming attractions…
JULY 7: It’s Fan Appreciation
Night, and it’s also wiener take all, as the Big M hosts its 1st
annual Wiener Dog Races. For those who own a dachshund and want to enter, go to
http://playmeadowlands.com/uploadedFiles/wiener_racing_sign-up_sheet.pdf.
At the conclusion of
the races, stay for a fantastic fireworks display. They’ll be beer and food
specials all night long.
There is a special
early post time of 6:35 p.m. The featured event are the eliminations for the
Crawford Farms Meadowlands Pace.
JULY 14: The Meadowlands’
signature event, the $650,000E Crawford Farms Meadowlands Pace for 3-year-olds,
takes center stage. Post time is 6:35 p.m.
Other stakes events on
the card include the $400,000E Hambletonian Maturity for 4-year-old open
trotters, $165,000E Mistletoe Shalee for 3-year-old fillies on the pace,
$200,000E Golden Girls for filly and mare pacers 3-years-old-and-up, $250,000E Del Miller Memorial for
3-year-old fillies on the trot (divisions), $320,000E Stanley Dancer Memorial
for 3-year-old open trotters (divisions) and $425,000E William Haughton
Memorial for open pacers 3-years-old-and-up.
AUGUST 4: Harness racing’s
signature event, the $1 million Hambletonian, brings the best 3-year-old
trotters to not only the Big M, but to a national television audience (on the
CBS Sports Network). Post time is noon for harness racing’s biggest day.
