Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The weather
may not have been cooperative, as a heavy rain fell for most of the evening,
but that did not stop many of harness racing’s stars from shining last Saturday
(Nov. 24) at the Meadowlands.
Horse of the Year voters got to see
the top two horses in training take down tough fields in their respective TVG
Finals, as McWicked – the presumed favorite in the HOTY race – won the Open
Pace in dominant fashion in 1:48. Not to be outdone, Shartin N – who became the
first-ever aged pacing female to earn $1 million in a calendar year – splashed
through the slop to score easily in the Mares Pace in 1:50.3.
In the TVG Open Trot, Tactical
Landing defeated rival 3-year-old Six Pack in 1:51.4 in what is presumed to be
trainer Jimmy Takter’s last big Meadowlands victory as he heads off into
retirement.
Also on the card were the Fall Final
Four for 2-year-olds and one performer, Captain Crunch, stood out from the
others as the Breeders Crown champion took the Governor’s Cup for 2-year-old
colts and geldings on the pace in 1:50.3.
The great Foiled Again made his final
career appearance at the Big M but had to settle for fourth in the “Auld Lane
Syne” Pace after going a tough trip. Despite the weather, he hung around in the
winner’s circle long enough for his fans to take pictures and have track TV
personality Jessica Otten give him a bouquet of carrots, which he had no qualms
about snacking on right after his race.
The Meadowlands’ TV dynamic interview
duo of Dave Brower and Bob “Hollywood” Heyden braved the elements to get
insightful post-race interviews for all eight of the stakes events on the
program, while TVG, who dedicated much air time to the Big M card, had Tom
Cassidy (who came in from California to be part of the evening) and the Big M’s
‘super-sub’, Rich Mattei, provide extensive commentary on the 13-race card.
The all-source handle was a meet-best
$2,764,912, and the track’s signature wager, the 50-Cent Pick-4, saw a
meet-high $101,859 in play.
This weekend, live racing takes place
on the usual Friday and Saturday (post time, 7:15 p.m.), but the schedule will
change slightly beginning Dec. 6, as Thursdays will be added to the slate for
the month of December. The date that racegoers need to be aware of is Saturday,
Dec. 15, when the track will be dark as the New York Jets will host the Houston
Texans at MetLife Stadium. Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m.
WIN SOME CASH: On Friday, Nov. 30, Big M fans can
grab some green in the Players Club Swipe N Score promotion. Swipe your Players
Club card and win a betting voucher worth up to $500. Prizes range from $2 to
$500 and vouchers will print after the first swipe, one voucher per person.
In the event you are not a Players
Club member and want to get in on the action, contact James Johnston (jjohnston@playmeadowlands.com)
or any Players Club representative to sign up.
BRING A TOY, MEET QUINCY: On Monday, Dec. 3, the Meadowlands
will host a U.S. Marines Toys for Tots holiday toy drive, and football fans who
bring a new unwrapped toy for the great cause will get to meet and greet New
York Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa.
FOX5 sportscaster Tina Cervasio will
serve as master of ceremonies at the event, which takes place from 6:30
p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Enunwa, who currently has 33 catches
and a team-high 418 receiving yards, will personally deliver the collected toys
to children at Harlem Grown, a charitable organization in Harlem whose mission
is to inspire youth to lead healthy and ambitious lives through mentorship and
hands-on education in urban farming, sustainability and nutrition.
THE CLYDESDALES ARE COMING: On Friday, Dec. 7, the world-famous
Budweiser Clydesdales will make a stop at the Meadowlands.
Come out for a selfie with the
majestic animals – who were originally a gift to August A. Busch Sr. to
commemorate the repeal of Prohibition – on the East Apron from 6 p.m.-7:15
p.m. Then grab a Bud or a Bud Lite and watch the Clydesdales parade on
the track after the conclusion of the first race.
GET YOUR NFL ACTION: Or for that matter, wager on college
football, pro basketball, soccer and hockey at the Big M’s FanDuel Sports Book.
The hours of operation are Monday
through Thursday, 10 a.m.-1 a.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m.-2
a.m. and Sunday, 8 a.m.-1 a.m. Keep in mind that the sports book will close
after all live U.S. games have concluded.
