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Race Secretary Pete Koch, his wife Cindy Chapman
Koch and Stakes
Coordinator Andrea Hanley and
friends enjoying the delicious fare in Pink.
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Monday evening’s qualifiers served as a dress rehearsal for
Saturday night’s grand opening of Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment’s
brand new grandstand. Meadowlands employees and their families were invited to
Pink, the terraced dining room in the new building, for a complimentary tasting
of the new menu and give the servers a test run of the facility.
The races began at 6:00pm with the accomplished older trotter
Mister Herbie cruising around the oval in 1:53- for driver Tim Tetrick. After a
57- half, “Herbie” turned on the jets and won by many lengths. Trainer Jeff
Gillis shares ownership of the $1.7 million winning son of Here Comes Herbie
with Mac Nichol and Gerald Stay.
So Surreal (Somebeachsomewhere) won easily in 1:53.4 (final half
in 55-) for trainer/driver Ray Schnittker prepping for next week’s Governors
Cup eliminations. Gewertz, Kurnit & Arnold are partners with Ray on the
colt.
Don’t Blame Her, long a favorite of the Bongiorno family, sharpened
up with an eye catching 1:54.2/27.1 effort in the third. Barbara and Bobby own
the mare, driven by their son Joe. Brad Irvine trains.
Another preview night of qualifiers comes along this Thursday at
6:00pm. Horsemen have been invited to attend on that occasion to sample the
fare in Pink. Then the house opens for real on Saturday with a stakes laden
card of racing. Stay informed with a visit to The Meadowlands Racing &
Entertainment website.
