EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The
Meadowlands will honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a special
event Friday (Jan. 18) night, when they host a race that will feature
African-American drivers exclusively in the first of 14 races on the card. Post
time is 7:15 p.m.
Mike Cruse’s name will be one
of the more recognizable to Meadowlands' regulars. During his career, he’s won
282 races, the most recent coming at the Big M in May of last year when he and
Mr Heaven hit the wire six lengths to the good in 1:51.
Yes, he is ready to compete,
but also anxious to remind all fans why the event is taking place: To honor the
birthday of the slain civil rights leader. “Dr. King was always adamant about a
better quality of life for black Americans,” said Cruse of Dr. King, who was
born on Jan. 15, 1929, “and not only black Americans, but better quality of
life for all Americans. He was a powerful guy. We have a lot of admiration for
him.”
When the question of the lack
of black participants in harness racing was raised, Cruse explained that they
are there, just not in the high-visibility jobs.
“I just think it’s the way we
position ourselves in the business,” he said, “there are a lot of black
farriers, grooms and caretakers.”
“We are all highly enthused
about the race,” said Cruse of himself and the nine drivers he’ll do battle
with, “a lot of the black drivers don’t have the opportunity to drive in the
limelight of the Meadowlands. Everyone wants to race at the mecca of the
sport.”
Cruse is hopeful that the
action will be fast and furious – at the windows. “I would like to see everyone
come out and bet the race,” he said, “we are a competitive field of drivers.
You can’t bet your Tetricks or your Callahans in here. It’s a gambler’s
paradise. Anyone can win the race.”
Cruse will be the guest on
“In the Sulky”, which can be seen Friday night at 6:45 p.m. on the live
simulcast presentation of “Racing from the Meadowlands.”
A LOT TO HANDLE: There have been four race cards at the Big M thus far
in 2019, and on each program, wagering has reached $2.5 million, with an
average per race – over the 54 races – of $201,786. … On Saturday (Jan. 12), a
2019-best $109,617 was pushed through the windows on the 50-Cent Pick-4 wager.
The average pool thus far this year is $100,722. … The 50-Cent Pick-5 has done
well since switching to the first race on the card, with an average pool of
$58,917. … Free program pages for the Pick-4 are available at www.ustrotting.com
and www.playmeadowlands.com.
… Driver Dexter Dunn was red-hot last weekend (Jan. 11-12), winning seven
times.
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
DAY AT FANDUEL: The action will be
huge on Sunday (Jan. 20) at the Big M’s FanDuel Sports Book when the Los
Angeles Rams travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints in the NFC
Championship Game at 3:05 p.m.
At 6:40 p.m., the AFC title
matchup pits the New England Patriots – who are playing in their eighth
consecutive conference championship – going to Kansas City to take on the
Chiefs.
EAT AT PINK’S, WHERE IT’S
OK TO WINE: A limited number of seats
remain for this Friday’s (Jan. 18) five-course Italian wine dinner in the Big
M’s Pink Restaurant’s SkyBox Suites.
The dinner is $70 per person.
For reservations, call 201-460-4079.
WHHC RESULTS: Stephanie Davis, James Michael, George Wagner and Tim
Platt were the top four finishers, respectively, in last Saturday’s (Jan. 12)
World Harness Handicapping Championship Qualifier, presented by DerbyWars.com,
at the Meadowlands.
The foursome will now advance
to the WHHC Final on April 13 at the Big M, which offers $150,000 in prize
money (based on 150 entries).
For a complete qualifier
schedule, go to http://playmeadowlands.com/contest_detail.aspx?id=8240.
