EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. Finding a way
to keep harness racing’s marquee performers on the track has always been a
puzzle that if solved would allow the sport’s fan base to follow equine
standouts not only through the end of their 3-year-old seasons, but beyond.
Last Saturday (May 4) at the
Meadowlands, the sport’s traveling road show for 4-year-olds – the Graduate
Series – made its first stop of 2019, and many of the top sophomore pacing
performers from 2018 were behind the gate in the two divisions of the series’
opening leg.
Lather Up, the North America Cup
winner from a year ago in a season that saw him earn just under $900,000,
displayed explosive late pace to take the Graduate’s first division, defeating
3-year-old standouts from last year This Is The Plan and Dorsoduro Hanover.
Courtly Choice, the 2018 Little Brown
Jug and Meadowlands Pace winner who earned just over $900,000, went parked the
final five-eighths in taking the second Graduate division, besting horses such
as Thinkbig Dreambig and American History, another pair of top performers from
a year ago.
“Time will only tell if the Graduate
can provide a dramatic rivalry with Lather Up and Courtly Choice,” said Big M
Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “We are fortunate
to have the Graduate, which is a great series that keeps our stars in
the spotlight racing, and not taking the fast track to the breeding shed. For
that, we thank the owners of these horses for helping to grow the game.
“Think back to 2016 when Always B
Miki and Wiggle It Jiggleit battled all year for the ‘Heavyweight Championship’
of the sport. Whenever and wherever those two met, that was the featured race
on the continent. Those two older horses grew the game immeasurably that year.
Hopefully, the Graduate can provide that level of excitement. Could the Lather
Up-Courtly Choice pairing possibly be a similar rivalry? Or will other top
older horses have something to say? Either way, the sport is a big winner.”
Leg Two of the Graduate
for pacers is June 1 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, followed by Legs Three (June 9)
and Four (June 28) at Tioga Downs and the Meadowlands, respectively. The Final
is July 6 at the Big M.
The Graduate for
trotters gets underway at the Meadowlands on May 18.
After a slow beginning due in all
probability to the delay of the start of the card as the inquiry in the
Kentucky Derby moved at a snail’s pace, wagering on the Big M’s live program
picked up in a big way.
Saturday’s seventh race, the Graduate
division won by Lather Up, served as the catalyst for another $3-million handle
night at the Big M, the ninth time that magic figure has been reached this year
at the mile oval.
In that 12-horse field, the Big M
faithful plunked down $363,400 in bets, with the straight ($103,034) and Exacta
($116,101) pools pushing past the six-figure plateau.
Saturday’s 50-Cent Pick-4 (Race 8)
pot was also in excess of $100,000, as $103,306 was put in play. As always,
free program pages for the 20-Cent Can-Am Pick-4 (Friday only) and 50-Cent
Pick-4 (both Friday and Saturday) are available at www.playmeadowlands.com
and www.ustrotting.com.
TIM TERRIFIC: Tim Tetrick had the hottest hands at
the track last weekend, driving seven winners.
FREE MONEY: Get a free $5 betting voucher at the Meadowlands
Friday night (May 10).
To qualify, you must be a member of
the Big M email database. If you are not a member, go to http://meadowlandsracetrack.com/index.aspx?id=13548.
To receive the
voucher, stop by the Players Club desk from 6-9 p.m. and show the email with
the $5 voucher offer on your phone or print out.
TRIBUTES IN PINK: Great music and great food will be
available in Pink restaurant Friday (May 10) night.
“Hats and Shades” is not only a Blues
Brothers tribute band, but play the music of Neil Diamond as well.
The buffet, which costs $39.95, gets
underway at 5:30 p.m. The show begins at 8:30 p.m.
Call 201-THE-BIGM for reservations.
DIG FOR DIAMONDS: On Saturday (May 11), betting
vouchers, watches and diamond jewelry are on the list of prizes in the Big M’s
“Diamond Dig”.
Entries will be taken up to Race 4
when 10 lucky contestants will be chosen to dig following Race 5.
For more information, go to www.playmeadowlands.com.
BEERFEST ON TAP: On Saturday (May 18), the Meadowlands
will host its fourth annual “Beerfest”.
The event, which is rain or shine,
has three tiers of ticket pricing. For a $75 VIP ticket, you get admission, VIP
lounge access, special VIP food buffet, a tasting glass, exclusive VIP tastings
and one additional hour of sampling.
Only 200 VIP tickets will be sold.
A $35 GA ticket ($45 if purchased day
of) includes admission, a tasting glass and four-hour sampling.
Those with VIP tickets will be
admitted at 4:30 p.m. while GA customers can go in at 5:30 p.m. The event ends
at 9:30 p.m.
