DESERVING GROUP OF DAN PATCH AWARDWINNERS ANNOUNCED BY USHWA

 HARRISBURG PA – The remaining winners of Dan Patch Awards in the human and broodmare categories, as voted on by the membership of the United States Harness Writers Association, the sport’s leading association, have been announced.

RISING STAR: BOB MCCLURE; GOOD GUY: JIM KING JR.; 

BREAKTHROUGH: DAWNELLE MOCK; 

UNSUNG HERO: WANDA POLISSENI –

Outreach by Women for Support and Protection of Sport Recognized;

Men (Usually) Let Their Horses Do The Talking for Them

The Rising Star and the Breakthrough Awards are for up-and-coming stars in harness racing, in the trainer/driver and non-trainer/driver category respectively; the Good Guy Award is given to someone who thinks and speaks positively about the sport and has a good relationship with the media, while the Unsung Hero is someone performing important tasks for the sport out of the spotlight.

In grouping these four awards and their winners for description, the combinations of the foursome falling on male and female lines, as expressed in the title, is interesting.

Dawnelle Mock is the Director of Marketing for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association. In her three years at the western Pennsylvania track, she has been the spearhead for the MSOA onto multiple digital platforms. She has shepherded several successful charity events; she has reached out to form a partnership with the Pittsburgh Penguins ice hockey team, a project with a large crossover potential; and she has been the MSOA liaison with the operators of The Meadows’ racetrack for a number of successful promotions, which contributed to a 6% year-over-year rise in handle at the track. Mock “works well with others,” but much of her success has been born of her own initiative and vision.

Wanda Polisseni has long campaigned harness horses under the name Purple Haze Stable with success, mostly in her home state of New York. She has founded a humanitarian organization to improve the standard of living – education, human services, civic improvement – in Upstate New York. Long an advocate for the after-track life of racehorses, on both the Standardbred and the Thoroughbred side of racing, Polisseni has now undertaken to buy a farm in New York that will serve as a home and a base for the Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption Program, for state-bred horses, that will also be the headquarters of the Harness Horse Breeders of New York State. If Wanda Polisseni can help, you can count her in; like Mock, she makes things happen.

Both Bob McClure, based in Ontario, and Jim King Jr., who races out of the state of 

Delaware but competes at all the major tracks, come from generations of horsepeople, and as such are not the type to seek the spotlight, though they cooperate with the media when attention comes their way.

Attention came to McClure in a big way during 2019, when he won the most prestigious harness race in North America, the Hambletonian, with Forbidden Trade. The victory was the culmination of a decade of continuous growth for the graduate of smaller raceways to the Grand River-Georgian Downs-Western Fair circuit and then right to the “A” class of his province’s racing at Woodbine at Mohawk Park, where he ranks among the colony’s top drivers. He earned over $5 million (Can.) for the first time in 2019, despite suffering a broken pelvis on April 25 – he was back racing in less than a month, using the cutting-edge technology of a hyperbaric chamber to aid his recovery.

Jim King Jr. has a reputation as a “ladies’ man,” but only in the best sense. In addition to having in his family two of the sport’s best spokespeople – wife Jo Ann Looney-King, a former winner of the Good Guy Award, and the self-proclaimed “harness racing firecracker,” awardwinning communicator Heather Vitale – King seems to have a particular touch with the pacing ladies, as evidenced by his two 2019 stars: the free-for-all Shartin N, who won over $2 million in 2018-19, and the precocious two-year-old Lyons Sentinel, North America’s biggest earner as a freshman while banking over $800,000. In keeping with his winning the Good Guy award, King will give honest, thoughtful answers to the media’s questions, never assuring success, but conscious of the power of the stable that his talents has built.

 TOP TROTTING BROODMARE SECRET MAGIC HELPS BRITTANY FARMS LLC TO BREEDER OF THE YEAR HONORS;

PRECOCIOUS BEAUTY PACING BROODMARE WINNER

Brittany Farms LLC, breeders of the 2019 “Millionaires’ Row” of Bettor’s Wish, Manchego, Six Pack, and American History among other top trotters and pacers, was voted as Breeder of the Year by USHWA. Also earning honors was the dam of Manchego, Secret Magic, who was picked as the Trotting Broodmare of the Year.

Brittany Farms, owned by Hall of Famer George Segal, was purchased in the late ‘80s and has been among the leading nurseries in the sport throughout Segal’s ownership. In 2019 Brittany ranked third among breeders with offspring winning over $12 million, despite a much lesser number of produce racing than many other establishments. Brittany bred three Breeders Crown winners in 2019 – American History, Manchego, and Reflect With Me – to raise their all-time total to 25 Crown champions, one behind Hanover Shoe Farms.

As noted, the Cantab Hall-Chorine Hanover matron Secret Magic earned honors as Trotting Broodmare of the Year, primarily because of the $2 million world champion Manchego, but also contributing was In Secret, a ten-time winner and $200,000 earner against Open company. Brittany bred Secret Magic, raced her, and then kept her as a broodmare until selling her early in 2019 to Hanover.

The Art Major-Precious Beauty matron Precocious Beauty has only two foals of racing age – the powerful, Breeders Crown-winning freshman pacing colt star Tall Dark Stranger and the filly Beautyonthebeach, a winner of $540,428 who lowered her mark to 1:49.2 during 2019. These two sharp stakes performers were enough to secure Pacing Broodmare of the Year honors for Precocious Beauty, herself a racetrack winner of $838,004 and with ever-increasing prospects as a broodmare for James Avritt Sr., who bred her, raced her, and continues to own her as a broodmare.

This release completes the announcement of the Dan Patch Awards in the human and broodmare categories. The twelve racehorse divisional champions will be announced this Friday, January 3, at 6:30 p.m. on The Meadowlands’ “pre-races” show, with media releases following (availability to view that announcement will be released shortly).

All of the honorees in this release and their connections will be honored at USHWA’s annual Dan Patch Awards Banquet, celebrating the best and brightest of harness racing in the past year. The banquet honoring the champions of 2019 will be held on Sunday, February 23, 2020 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando FL, the climax of a weekend that also finds USHWA holding its annual national meetings. The Trotter of the Year, Pacer of the Year, and Horse of the Year will be revealed for the first time at the Banquet.

Tickets for the Dan Patch Awards Banquet are $180, with a filet mignon dinner featured; “post times” on February 23 are cocktails at 5:30 p.m., with dinner to follow. Tickets, and other Banquet-related information, can be obtained through Dinner Planning Committee Chair Judy Davis-Wilson, at zoe8874@aol.com or 302 359 3630.

Hotel reservations for those attending can be made through USHWA’s website, www.ushwa.net; a link to the hotel’s computer is on the front page of the website. Those who would like to take out congratulatory ads for awardwinners in the always-popular Dan Patch Awards Journal can do so by contacting Kim Rinker at trotrink@aol.com or 708 557 2790 (the 2019 journal is online at the writers’ website).

COURANT, MARCUS MELANDER DOMINATE STAKES TROTTING AND ARE VOTED OWNER AND TRAINER OF THE YEAR, RESPECTIVELY; DEXTER DUNN A SMASH IN FIRST FULL “NORTHERN” CAMPAIGN, WINS DRIVER OF THE YEAR

 HARRISBURG PA – The partnership of Courant Inc., which encompasses principal owner Anders Ström and individual partners on several horses, teamed exceptionally well with trainer Marcus Melander during 2019, campaigning the “Three G’s” – Greenshoe, Gimpanzee, and Green Manalishi S – who dominated the three-year-old trotting colt ranks while earning over $3 million among them this year alone. They also raced freshman trotting filly Hypnotic AM and other quality performers, with the result that Courant and Melander were voted Owner of the Year and Trainer of the Year, respectively, during voting conducted by the United States Harness Writers Association, the sport’s leading media organization.

In addition, New Zealander Dexter Dunn, who had a sensational first full year campaigning in the United States and Canada, was voted as the Driver of the Year by USHWA.

Ström, who with his outright-owned horses campaigns in red-and-gold colors worn by the driver, saw Greenshoe and Gimpanzee each earn over $1 million while winning the majority of the sport’s major stakes for their group – Greenshoe a Dancer division, the Zweig, a Bluegrass division, the Kentucky Futurity, the Sire Stakes crown in New Jersey, and the Kentucky program’s championship; Gimpanzee the Yonkers Trot, the Breeders Crown, the Matron, and the New York Sire Stakes championship. Green Manalishi S added a Tompkins-Geers division, the Simcoe, and the Canadian Trotting Classic; Hypnotic AM won her New York Sire Stakes finale and the Doherty Memorial.

Despite sending only 16 starters, Courant and partners saw their horses earn over $3.9 million, putting them in the North American Top Ten. Courant also has powerful divisions of the stable in Sweden and in France, and Ström put himself in position for future success by spending over $1.6 million at the major yearling sales in Lexington and Harrisburg.

Melander, still only 27 years of age and coming off winning USHWA’s Rising Star Award, continued his rapid ascent to harness racing’s top circles, with his horses earning almost $5.4 million during 2019, fourth among all North American trainers. The “Three G’s” who dominated the sophomore trotting ranks of course were the primary contributors to that amount, but along with Hypnotic AM Melander also sent out Cutler Memorial winner Cruzado Dela Noche, a 2018 winner of the Yonkers International Trot.

In addition, there were a host of young, bright prospects who showed talent in limited campaigns and could come on like gangbusters in 2020 (remember, Greenshoe only started four times at two). With the firm support of his family and staff (who frequently overlap), Melander certainly didn’t have the “sophomore jinx” in 2019, and it would be no surprise if the winning continued this coming year.

Melander’s family (including a Hambletonian-winning uncle) is from Sweden – another North American “import,” Kiwi-born Dexter Dunn, came from Down Under with sterling credentials, having won multiple New Zealand driving titles and even the 2015 World Driving Championship. But his first full season of driving in the United States and Canada produced success in quantity and quality that few, not even Dexter, would have predicted.

Horses handled by the red-and-black-clad driver won over $11 million during 2019, putting him third behind the perennial top pairing of Tim Tetrick and Yannick Gingras. The fact that he won 457 races, also putting him in the North American Top Ten, was also impressive but not that surprising since he had won ten “Enzed” sulky dash titles before he reached his current age of 30, but his seamless assimilation into the rarefied circles of top stakes competition was the exclamation point on his year.

Dunn was the driver for sophomore colt pacer Bettor’s Wish, who was the leading moneywinner of 2019 with over $1.6M in earnings and a 19-13-6-0 record primarily completing in the “glamour division.” Amigo Volo (2TC) and Manchego (OTM) benefited from his expertise in winning Breeders Crown events. He won championships in state programs with Bettor’s Wish in Kentucky, Milles Possesion in Pennsylvania, and Fortune Starlet in New Jersey. In his first full year of driving at Harrah’s Philadelphia, Dunn finished third in the drivers win standings, behind Tim Tetrick and George Napolitano Jr. – who between them have won the last thirteen victory belts at the oval.

And just as Melander had some “family” behind him, so did Dunn – Chris Ryder was the first to regularly use Dunn upon coming over, and a disproportionate share of Australian and New Zealand expatriate  conditions quickly, and soon unhesitatingly, gave him regular work.

The remainder of the human and broodmare Dan Patch awardwinners are being announced today and tomorrow; the twelve racehorse divisional champions will be announced this Friday, January 3, at 6:30 p.m. on The Meadowlands’ “pre-races” show, with media releases following (availability to view that announcement will be released shortly).

Anders Ström and Courant, Inc., Marcus Melander, and Dexter Dunn will be honored at USHWA’s annual Dan Patch Awards Banquet, celebrating the best and brightest of harness racing in the past year. The banquet honoring the champions of 2019 will be held on Sunday, February 23, 2020 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando FL, the climax of a weekend that also finds USHWA holding its annual national meetings. The Trotter of the Year, Pacer of the Year, and Horse of the Year will be revealed for the first time at the Banquet.

Tickets for the Dan Patch Awards Banquet are $180, with a filet mignon dinner featured; “post times” on February 23 are cocktails at 5:30 p.m., with dinner to follow. Tickets, and other Banquet-related information, can be obtained through Dinner Planning Committee Chair Judy Davis-Wilson, at zoe8874@aol.com or 302 359 3630.

Hotel reservations for those attending can be made through USHWA’s website, www.ushwa.net; a link to the hotel’s computer is on the front page of the website. Those who would like to take out congratulatory ads for awardwinners in the always-popular Dan Patch Awards Journal can do so by contacting Kim Rinker at trotrink@aol.com (the 2019 journal is online at the writers’ website).

“DEAD HEAT TO WIN” BETWEEN JOE FARALDO AND THE AL LIBFELD / MARVIN KATZ PARTNERSHIP FOR THE STAN BERGSTEIN / PROXIMITY AWARD ANNOUNCED BY U.S. HARNESS WRITERS ASSOCIATION

HARRISBURG PA – There was a “dead heat for win” in the voting for the most prestigious award for which the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) are the sole arbiters – the Stan Bergstein/Proximity Award. The joint winners are New York horseman Joe Faraldo and the Ontario owning/breeding partnership of Al Libfeld and Marvin Katz – the first time there has been a tie in the top of the voting in the 68-year history of the award, which is voted on by the sport’s leading media organization.

Joe Faraldo, an attorney by trade and an owner/amateur driver, is heading into his 40th year as President and CEO of the Standardbred Owners Association of New York, the horsemen’s group that serves Yonkers Raceway, the track which pays the highest purses in the North American sport. He has been a staunch advocate of horsemen’s rights, and is the only attorney who has argued a harness racing-related case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Faraldo has been a director of the U.S. Trotting Association for over 20 years, and currently serves as Chair of the USTA’s District 8-A (lower New York). He is the chair of the important Harness Racing Medication Collaborative, which not only keeps up to date with substances and testing procedure in the sport, but also seeks to find common ground among the pari-mutuel sports’ breeds and jurisdictions.

Faraldo is also an amateur driver of some note, and has driven in several countries during competitions. His international presence helped Yonkers re-establish the International Trot after a two-decade absence. He has been honored by Harness Horsemen’s International, the USTA, and USHWA.

The partnership of Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld, both of whom are in the southern Ontario real estate field, was not an instantaneous success by their own admission; the horse which started a turnaround for them was 1997 Meadowlands Pace winner Dream Away. But it is hard to miss the impression they have made on the owning and breeding of quality horses, especially in the last decade.

The racehorse list includes millionaires Ariana G and Dream Away; the most recent of their breeding accomplishments was the selling of the sport’s first million-dollar yearling, Maverick, a Father Patrick full brother to this year’s spectacular three-year-old Greenshoe, who sold for $1,100,000 at Lexington this past fall. Horses they have owned and/or bred have accounted for the Hambletonian, Kentucky Futurity, Canadian Trotting Classic and other world-class events. The pair have been honored on both sides of the North American racing border previously

Libfeld/Katz were also the Presenting Sponsors of the 2019 Breeders Crown championships when they came to their nearby Woodbine at Mohawk Raceway, and the associated Breeders Crown Charity Challenge raised over $200,000 for area charities.

The Bergstein / Proximity Award honors the great trotting mare Proximity, who was Harness Horse of the Year in 1950, and Stan Bergstein, the sport’s only “double Hall of Famer” and an industry visionary and leader for going on half a century until his passing in 2011.

The remainder of the human and broodmare Dan Patch awardwinners are being announced today and tomorrow; the twelve racehorse divisional champions will be announced this Friday, January 3, at 6:30 p.m. on The Meadowlands’ “pre-races” show, with media releases following (availability to view that announcement will be released shortly).

Joe Faraldo, Marvin Katz, and Al Libfeld will be honored at USHWA’s annual Dan Patch Awards Banquet, celebrating the best and brightest of harness racing in the past year. The banquet honoring the champions of 2019 will be held on Sunday, February 23, 2020 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando FL, the climax of a weekend that also finds USHWA holding its annual national meetings. The Trotter of the Year, Pacer of the Year, and Horse of the Year will be revealed for the first time at the Banquet.

Tickets for the Dan Patch Awards Banquet are $180, with a filet mignon dinner featured; “post times” on February 23 are cocktails at 5:30 p.m., with dinner to follow. Tickets, and other Banquet-related information, can be obtained through Dinner Planning Committee Chair Judy Davis-Wilson, at zoe8874@aol.com or 302 359 3630.

Hotel reservations for those attending can be made through USHWA’s website, www.ushwa.net; a link to the hotel’s computer is on the front page of the website. Those who would like to take out congratulatory ads for awardwinners in the always-popular Dan Patch Awards Journal can do so by contacting Kim Rinker at trotrink@aol.com (the 2019 journal is online at the writers’ website).

McCARTHY WINS FIVE AGAIN, NEW HEIGHTS FOR HANDLE AT BIG M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – For a second straight night, Andy McCarthy ruled the Meadowlands.

The 33-year-old native of Australia followed up his five-winner Friday with another five-bagger Saturday night. All told, when you add in the two victories McCarthy had Thursday, you end up with one dozen winner’s circle visits over the course of the three-card race week at the Big M.

On Saturday, McCarthy got his night underway with Jims Perfect Ten in the second race, scoring in 1:51.4 as the 4-5 favorite in a low-end conditioned pace. McCarthy and Duddie’s Lor overcame post 10 to take the fourth in 1:51 (a lifetime best) as the 9-5 second choice in a non-winners of four pace.

Andy Mac then finished with a flourish, winning three straight, scoring in race eight with 2-1 public choice Drawing Dragons in 1:50.3 in a high-end conditioned pace, race nine in a mid-range conditioned pace with 6-5 favorite Odds On Lauderdale from post 10 in 1:52.3, before capping his big night – with his biggest price – by scoring in race 10 with 7-1 fourth-choice Reagan’s Avenger in wire-to-wire fashion from post nine in 1:51.2 in a TrackMaster 85.5 or less pace.

NEW HANDLE HIGH: Andy McCarthy’s hands were on fire this weekend, and so were those of the Meadowlands’ faithful, who bet with both of their's early and often on the Saturday card, establishing a new Fall Meeting handle high of $2,913,163.

The previous best of $2,907,339 was set on Friday.

A LITTLE MORE: On a night that saw big pools, it’s no surprise that the 50-cent Pick-4 had a huge one. A total of $107,485 was poured into the pot, only $3,000 or so less than the previous Fall Meet best of $110,502, which was established on Nov. 23. … Joe Bongiorno and Pat Berry both had driving doubles. … Once again, the 20-cent Survivor Pick-10 played out like a jackpot wager, as one shrewd player wagering into the Catskills hub held the lone ticket to last eight legs and walked away with $8,659. … Racing resumes Thursday at 7:15 p.m.

‘BATS’ WINS FEATURE, 5 FOR McCARTHY AT BIG M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – While being interviewed on the in-house simulcast show before the start of the card, trainer Andrew Harris spoke glowingly about his Joey Bats, who would go up against the best trotters currently racing at the Meadowlands in the Preferred Handicap for trotters Friday night.

And Joey Bats lived up to the hype.

Using explosive early speed to get the lead from post 6 in the seven-horse field, Joey Bats reached the quarter in a quick :27.2. Looking for his second straight win in the weekly feature, 2-1 favorite Rich And Miserable came after the leader, poking a head in front while parked at the three-eighths, before clearing and hitting the half in :56.2.

Max, a 25-1 chance, tried to mount a challenge around the far turn from first-over, but was not up to the task at hand. Rich And Miserable continued to move well through the stretch, but driver Andy McCarthy moved Joey Bats out of the pocket with a little more than a sixteenth-of-a-mile to go and cruised past that foe with ease to win by 1½ lengths in 1:52.2, a lifetime best. Southwind Chrome was way back most of the way before sprinting home in :26.2 to grab third.

“Joey is maturing into a serious horse,” said Harris after the race. “He is long-strided and is still learning. Andy (McCarthy) got off the bike and said he thinks Joey will trot in (1):49 this summer.”

Joey Bats, a 4-year-old gelded son of Holiday Road-JN Daytona, returned $8.20 as the second choice in the betting for owners Scott Dillon, Michele Nelson and Marc Reynolds. He now has 17 wins from 55 lifetime starts, good for earnings of $304,787.

MEET-HIGH HANDLE: Wagering on the first race was giant at $355,775 ($98,455 in the Exacta pool alone) and Big M fans kept on playing with both hands throughout the evening, betting a meet-best $2,907,339 on the 14-race program. The previous high was $2,730,886, which occurred on Nov. 2.

A LITTLE MORE: McCarthy and Harris teamed up to win three times on the program while McCarthy finished the evening with five victories overall. Corey Callahan drove three to victory lane while Vinny Ginsburg had a driving double. Tony Alagna had a training double. … Two players lasted four legs in the 20-cent Survivor Pick-10 and walked away with $6,324 each. … The fifth race 20-cent Jackpot Super High-Five was hit, paying off a serious $23,262 for the winning combination of 10-6-5-3-9. Narcian Jewel won the race at odds of 21-1. … Wagering on the 50-cent Pick-4 was vigorous, with a total pool of $93,243. … Racing resumes Saturday at 7:15 p.m.

Lucky Man wins Au Revior Pace

By Shawn Wiles

Monticello NY – On Friday December 27, at Monticello Raceway on a track listed as good, a field of 5 pacers lined up behind the starting gate for the last time in their career in the Au Revior $5,000 Invitational Pace. For almost a decade and a half, these 5 equine iron geldings have been behind the starting gate almost 1600 times in their combined careers.

When the gate left, the betting favorite  FLEM N EM N starting from post position. 5 and driver Jim DeVaux were first away followed by Lucky Man right along side, DeVaux worked his mount hard to get the front keeping Lucky Man at bay, they zipped the opening quarter in 27.3, Lappe and Lucky Man were parked and had no choice and was forced to tuck in the 3 hole well past the paddock turn. The Saratoga invader FLEM N EM M took the field to the half in 57.3, at this point Lappe pulled the right line for the last time and started the outer flow and was first over and bid his time as the leader FLEM N EM N  hit the the ¾ in 1:27.3, with Lucky Man parked on the outside, in the paddock turn Lucky Man Urged on by Lappe exploded in a matter of strides and had an instant 3 lengths on the field at the head of the stretch.

The usually reserve Lappe savored the moment and pumped her arm in the air before the wire, reminiscent of the Stanley Dancer moment with Duenna in the Hambletonian, the duo hit the wire in 1:57.2 drawing off by 5 lengths, pacing their last quarter in 29.4,  FLEM N EM N finished second Lightning Raider N third, the winner paid a $6.40 for win. It was his 9^th win of the season and has banked over $32,000, Christopher Bliss was a late scratch.

Lucky Man’s career stats and overall body of work is impressive, the $90,000 Camluck yearling purchase amassed lifetime earning of $1.2 million with a lifetime mark of 1:49.1 as a 5 year old at Mohawk Raceway with 60 career wins,  he is co owned by Trainer-Driver Jennifer Lappe and Patrick Laiso.

After the winner circle presentation, and emotional Lappe paid homage to her stead and unhooked the sulky and walked the gutsy campaigner Lucky Man back to the paddock for the last time to enjoy the moment amid the spattering of claps for the classy duo from those admirers on the racing apron that braved the elements to bid him farewell.

Cool him out good, this last time.

Its A Horse on quite a roll at Cal Expo

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

If you’re keeping track, that’s three straight wins at the head of the class for Its a Horse, including the Joe Lighthill Trot two weeks ago.

Ray Alan Miller’s colorbearer, who takes his lessons from Marco Rios and has been guided in each of those scores by Dean Magee, had no trouble with the sloppy going in the Lighthill and reported home with two and three-quarter lengths to spare that evening.

“The owner bought this horse last year and turned him out for sixth months, then I got him,” Rios related when asked about the soon-to-be 7-year-old Ohio-bred. With his last tally, he is closing in on the $100,000 earnings plateau.

Its a Horse likes to relax early and save his best for last, although in his last two wins he made his moves earlier than usual and actually had the lead by the time they hit the stretch on both occasions.

“If you look at the races going back to when he was at Northfield Park, he was racing on the lead, but we were able to teach him a different style and it’s worked very well,” Marco noted.

“As far as the sloppy track last time, I was a little concerned, but he had trained so well all week I still had a lot of confidence.”

Rios acknowledged that having veteran Magee at the controls is a major plus. “He knows all about the flow of the race, and if he feels he has to move early, he does it. The horse is very sharp right now and it’s been very satisfying.”

Virgin Eyes seeking encore in main event

Virgin Eyes, fresh from a game win over a sloppy track two weeks ago, attempts a curtain call in Saturday night’s $6,200 Filly and Mare Open II Pace.

The headliner will go as the eighth of 12 races presented under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post at 6:10 p.m.

A 4-year-old daughter of Always A Virgin, Virgin Eyes has turned in two big efforts since arriving from the East for owner Aleksandra Karl and Jacob Fox. In a needed local debut on November 29 she rallied smartly for the place spot despite suffering poor cover.

In her most recent assignment over the wet going, Virgin Eyes brushed to the lead for Fox past the quarter, withstood a strong challenge on the final turn and prevailed by a length as the 5-2 choice.

Marilyn was a strong runner-up that evening after posting nice tallies versus softer competition in her previous two appearances. Mark Anderson owns, Gordie Graham trains and James Kennedy has the return assignment.

Dancingonthesand is a long-fused mare who will certainly have her share of backers off her two solid victories with this group last month. The Alan Cooper-owned, Kathie Plested-trained disaffer has Mooney Svendsen guiding from the No. 7 slot in the field of nine.

Completing the cast are Shock N Awe, Capitol Hill, Magnifique, Brighten Your Life, Morgangetsherway and Cenalta Glory.

PREPPY ART WINS AGAIN AT BIG M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – It’s getting tough to come up with superlatives when describing Preppy Art.

The remarkable 7-year-old gelded son of Art Colony-Electric Smile had won no races in 59 starts when he went behind the gate on Nov. 1 at the Meadowlands. And that’s the night everything changed.

Since then, Preppy Art has won eight of nine starts, the most recent coming in a $10,000 claiming pace at the Big M Thursday night, cementing his standing as the hottest horse in all of harness racing.

Racing out of the Nick Surick barn for the second time during the streak (both wins), Preppy Art made his way to the top while parked past the quarter in :27.3. Andy Miller then got the chance to rate the second fraction back to a sleepy :29.4 to ensure he’d have plenty left for the back half-mile.

And he certainly did.

The 1-2 favorite, who was tracked to the stretch by his pocket-sitting stablemate Kid PK, opened up a 2-length lead with three-sixteenths-of-a-mile to go and held sway easily to the wire by three-quarters-of-a-length as Lear Seelster rallied along the pylons to get second. Kid PK held third.

Preppy Art, who returned $3.00 to his backers, won for owners Melvin Fink and Debbie Surick, before predictably being claimed for an eighth consecutive start. The time for the mile was 1:53.3. Lifetime, he now has 19 wins from 119 starts and earnings of $130,992. Preppy Art left the track on trainer Bruce Lauer’s trailer at night’s end for the second time in three starts.

A LITTLE MORE: Andy Miller finished the evening with four wins while Andy McCarthy and Pat Berry had two apiece. … The 20-cent Survivor Pick-9 played out like a jackpot once again, as one superb handicapper betting into the Ontario hub had the lone ticket to last seven legs and cashed in for $7,784. … All-source handle was vigorous for a Thursday at $1,872,320, up 47 percent over Dec. 19 and up an amazing 96 percent over Dec. 12. … Racing resumes Friday at 7:15 p.m.

King of the Crop springs the upset at Cal Expo

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

While most people were conceding the Dave Goldschmidt Free-for-All Pace to heavily-favored Allmyx’sliventexas, apparently somebody forget to tell King Of The Crop.

Sent off at 8-1 in that contest two weeks ago, the soon-to-be 9-year-old son of Little Steven stalked the 1-5 choice and gamely got the job done for owners Don and Barbara Arnstine and Steve Chambers, trainer Kathy Plested and pilot Steve Wiseman.

“We were thrilled with King and his brave win,” said Barbara Arnstine. “He’s pretty special to us because he was so darn hard to get.

“We’ve been following him ever since Wayne Short entered him in claimers, and when he finally got to the tracks in Pennsylvania and New York where we could make a claim, we kept losing the shake.

“We tried three times, and each time we lost him to someone else. Then the next week he would be claimed for a higher price. By the time we got him at his highest price, we were the only ones left. If you would have seen him got off the truck after being in five different barns in two months, you would be wondering if we were crazy or just obsessed.”

Following a needed race here on November 30, King Of The Crop was ready to rock and roll in the Goldschmidt while recording his 28^th lifetime score and pushing his career bankroll to the $207,000 mark.

“After a couple of weeks with Kathy and Steve, you would have seen what we saw,” Barbara noted. “A fine, big-hearted Cal-bred who needed to come home. And he thanks us every time he races.”

Open Pace gets the marquee treatment

Allmyx’sliventexas, who had his local winning snapped in the Dave Goldschmidt Pace two weeks ago; and King Of The Crop, who provided the upset, get another chance to settle the score in Friday night’s $7,200 Open Pace.

There will be 12 races presented by Watch and Wager LLC with first post set for 6:10 p.m.. The program will also feature the Robert Gordon Prep for pacers. 

Allymx’sliventexas is a soon-to-be 7-year-old son of Hi Ho Silverheel’s who is owned and was bred by Wayne and Rod Knittel, takes his lessons from Bob Johnson and will have Mooney Svendsen at the controls. A winner of 34 of 111 starts, the bay performer went over the $200,000 mark with his most recent appearance and sports a 1:50 lifetime mark.

After starting the meet with three straight Open victories, Allymx’sliventexas was dispatched as the 1-5 favorite in the December 14 Dave Goldschmidt, but was unable to contain King Of The Crop when that rival came calling in the lane and was beaten a half-length over the track labelled good.

King Of The Crop is an 8-year-old Little Steven offspring who carries the banner of Don and Barbara Arnstine and Steve Chambers with Kathy Plested conditioning and Steve Wiseman handling the lines.

Sent off at 8-1 in the Goldschmidt, King Of The Crop tracked the favorite to the drive and then dug in gamely to pull off the upset. It was the 28^th lifetime tally for the hard-hitting pacer and pushed his bank account to $207,000 mark with a 1:50 4/5 career standard.

Taking on this pair are Bettor In The Bank, Part Time, Almost Cut My Hair, Senga Nitro, Marced Magic and Some Playa.

BIG FIELDS MEAN BIG ACTION AT BIG M

Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The Meadowlands delivered full fields to its faithful last week (Dec. 19-21), and the following bet with both hands.

The previous week of racing (Dec. 12-14) saw handle that totaled $5,388,738 over the three-card race week. Last Thursday, Friday and Saturday, handle was $6,121,558, an increase of 13.6 percent.

“With some of the other tracks in our region not racing, we have been able to take advantage and provide better opportunities for our players due to our horsemen energetically supporting our entry box,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “And, once again this weekend, we will provide them with more chances to cash some big tickets.”

A handful of big hits have come in the track’s 50-cent Pick-5, which always comes with a guaranteed pool of $25,000 and a low 15 percent takeout, as the last four times the bet has been offered the payout has been at least four figures.

The streak began Dec. 14 when one superb player held the only ticket to pick all five winners and walked away with $33,773. On Dec. 19 and Dec. 20, the payouts were $1,006 and $2,050, respectively, before a lone-winning-ticket holder cashed $29,478 on Dec. 21.

The Big M’s signature bet, the 50-cent Pick-4, may not have provided the payoffs of the Pick-5, but that did not deter players from going deep. Last week, the pools from Thursday through Saturday were, $60,029, $72,380 and $94,408, respectively.

Free program pages for the Pick-4 – which offers a $50,000 guaranteed pool on Fridays and Saturdays – are always available at playmeadowlands.com and ustrotting.com.

The carryovers for the track’s two 20-cent Jackpot Super High-Fives continue to expand, as bettors on Thursday will shoot for starting pots of $17,076 (Race 5) and $67,864 (Race 11).

The Meadowlands will race one additional Thursday night card. Not only will the Big M race this Thursday (Dec. 26), but will also host a live card on Jan. 2. As always, post time is 7:15 p.m.

DECEMBER’S DYNAMIC DUO: The Big M’s top two drivers have been killing it at the mile oval this month.

Yannick Gingras has 21 wins during December, while Dexter Dunn – who is the overall leader at the Fall Meeting – has 20. Following the top two for the month are Andy Miller (11 wins) and Andy McCarthy (10).

Gingras had five victories last Thursday, leading to 10 wins for the week. Dunn had six while Andy Miller had five.

Fans will not get to bet on Gingras for a while, though, as he will be on vacation for the next few weeks.

Nick Surick tops the December trainer’s race with six wins, followed by Jeff Cullipher and Andrew Harris, who have five each, and Harry Landy, who has four.

SEASON’S GREETINGS: Settlemoir’s holiday message to all: “On behalf of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Gural, and all of us here at the Meadowlands, I’d like to wish everybody a joyous holiday season. We appreciate our employees, horsemen and faithful fans for being loyal to our product. We hope everybody takes some time to be with family and friends while celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas and hope everyone has a healthy and happy New Year.”

COMING UP: On Dec. 27, card players who are 21 or older can play Texas Hold’em on “Free Poker Friday”, hosted by World Free Poker. … On Friday and Saturday “Win Your Share” when the Big M puts $2,019 up for grabs. Ten contestants will be selected after Race 6 to win betting vouchers ranging in value from $100-$500. The entry form is available in the live racing program or at the Players Club Desk. … Looking ahead, on Jan. 11, the Big M will host a $400 qualifier for the World Harness Handicapping Championship. For more information, go to playmeadowlands.com.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: Big M Fans are reminded that the track will be closed for simulcasting on December 29 and will be open on New Year’s Eve from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

The operating schedule for the Big M’s FanDuel Sportsbook will see bettors able to get their action on New Year’s Eve from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and on New Year’s Day from 10 a.m.-1 a.m.

Speaking of action, college football fans are sure to be fired up for the College Football Playoff that takes place on Saturday (Dec. 28).

At 4 p.m., 4^th-ranked Oklahoma takes on No. 1 LSU, while at 8 p.m., No. 2 Ohio State faces No. 3 Clemson, who are the defending national champions.

In addition, on Sunday (Dec. 29), watch and wager on all Week 17 National Football League games. The NFL playoffs begin Jan. 4.

Monticello Raceway to hold the Au Revoir Pace on Friday December 27

By Shawn Wiles

Monticello Raceway will present the Au Revoir Invitational Pace on Friday December 27.  Race Secretary Eric Warner was able to secure 6 aged pacers from all over the state of New York for this even which will be racing for a purse of $5,000. The 6 hardened campaigners, all geldings collectively have combined earnings of over $2,364,887 and 292 trips to the winner’s circle.  

 

The fastest and richest is Lucky Man, a former $90,000 yearling has life time earning of $1,2781000 and a lifetime mark of 1:49.1 taken when he was a 5-year-old at Mohawk Raceway.  The son of Camluck is still on top of his game, this season he scored at Vernon Downs in 1:52.2 with 8 trips to the winner’s circle for trainer-driver Jennifer Lappe. Lucky Man has drawn post position 6. 

The morning line favorite is the Saratoga invader FLEM N EM N, a model of consistency this year he has finished 2^nd 13 times with earning this season of $35,320 and a mark of 1:52.4, Jim DeVaux will drive the son of Courage Under Fire for trainer Gary Levine.

The Batavia based Lightning Raider has drawn post 6 for trainer Gerry Sarama.  In 41 starts this season he has entered the winners circle 7 times, top Monticello Raceway reinsman Bruce Aldrich Jr. will drive the son of Christian Cullen.

Rounding out the field is Yankee Devil (PP3) and 2 Monticello Raceway horses Christoffer Bliss (PP1)and Mercurio N (PP2)

The event is carded as Race 8 on the 11 race program with post time at 12:20.

Meadowlands Fans Treated to Behind the Scenes Tour During Live Racing

A small promotion has turned into a huge success at the Meadowlands Racetrack

Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Each live race night one lucky table in Pink Restaurant is selected in the “Dine.Win.Tour.” promotion.  The lucky winners receive a $10 betting voucher, a winner’s circle presentation with commemorative 8x10 color photo, a Meadowlands swag bag and an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the back paddock given by Marketing Coordinator, Jessica Otten.

 The guest response to “Dine.Win.Tour” has been overwhelmingly positive.

“This is a really cool experience, this isn’t something everyone gets to see,” said  Lauralyn, a promotion winner in November.   “It’s cool you guys take the time out to show the fans what goes on before they race.”

The drivers have stepped up for the promotion and have enhanced the back paddock experience.  Winners have loved meeting their favorite drivers including Yannick Gingras, Tim Tetrick and David Miller who have taken time out of their busy night-time routine to pose for selfies and sign a few autographs.

The horseman have also embraced this new promotion and have allowed the promotion winners to get up close and personal with their equine athletes.  Some have even provided hats, sweatshirts and other swag to guests.

“I love that The Meadowlands really promotes the sport and love the dine-win-tour that they do. It's great seeing people in the paddock so interested to learn and see the horses, so I brought a couple of sweatshirts and t-shirts to hand out” Kristin Calcagni, groom for Carmen Auciello.

“When Marketing brought me this promotion I knew it was a winner,” said Jason Settlemoir, COO & GM of the Meadowlands Racetrack.  “Rachel and Jessica did a great job developing this promo.  It is a low-cost, high reward activity that really enhances our customers’ experience.” 

Dine.Win.Tour will continue this week Thursday-Saturday with live racing kicking off at 7:15pm. 

 For more information on live racing, dining and event promotions visit PlayMeadowlands.com

SWEET WIN FOR SAN DOMINO A IN BIG M FEATURE

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Driver Pat Berry let the race come to him, and his patience and decision-making led to San Domino A winning the Saturday night feature at the Meadowlands, the Preferred for pacers.

Berry, who won his 4,000^th career race at the Big M last week, had San Domino A racing in sixth to the quarter as the speedy Wheels On Fire was cutting out tepid fractions of :28.1 and :56.4. But Wheels On Fire – the 5-1 second choice – was not at his best, bearing away from the rail at the half while causing a bit of a traffic jam on the way to a fourth-place finish.

Things did not go swimmingly for 4-5 favorite Franco Totem N, either. He never saw the rail, racing first-over to the stretch before weakening and finishing seventh in the field of nine.

San Domino A, who scored at the Big M on Nov. 30 before a Yonkers win Dec. 14, was in a live flow racing third-over, and when second-over Endeavor went around a tiring Franco Totem N, San Domino A moved with that one, racing second-over in a three-wide flow around the far turn.

The Andrew Harris trainee then powered by Endeavor in mid-stretch on the way to a three-quarter-length win in 1:51.3 to record a third straight score. Endeavor held second, with Lyons Steel rallying for third.

 A 6-year-old gelded son of Somebeachsomewhere-Reggae Miss, San Domino A paid $16.80 as the fourth choice in the wagering. He’s won eight-of-22 starts this year, and lifetime, has 20 wins from 64 attempts and earnings of $209,588 for owners Joe P Racing and Oldford Racing.

A LITTLE MORE: For the second consecutive Saturday, there was only one winning ticket sold in the 50-cent Pick-5. The combination of 6-10-2-5-2 returned $29,478. … Favorites took it on the chin, winning only twice on the card. … Leading driver Dexter Dunn had four winners on the card, upping his Fall Meet total to 47. … Yannick Gingras guided 10 to victory lane over the course of the three-day race week and now has 42 wins. … All-source handle totaled $2,416,400 on the 14-race card. … Racing resumes Thursday at 7:15 p.m. … The Big M will be closed for simulcasting on Dec. 22, 24, 25 and 29. … The FanDuel Sportsbook will be open on Dec. 24 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and closed on Dec. 25.

Adams Wins Free Seat into WHHC Final

Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Russ Adams of Hanover, PA, took first place in Saturday’s   free WHHC Qualifier at the Meadowlands.  Adams won a $1,300 seat into the World Harness Handicapping Championship presented by DerbyWars.com on April 18^th, 2020.
Adams, the photo finish/timer at Rosecroft, credited his late grandfather for helping him get the win.
“I remember going to the track with him when I was young,” said Adams. “He was watching out for me tonight.”
The contest required players to make a mythical $2 "across the board" wager on one horse in races 1 – 10 at the Meadowlands. Adams finished with $138.90, only $12.30 ahead of the second place finisher.  It was a tight race throughout the night with few favorites hitting the board.

The remaining Meadowlands qualifier schedule is:

• January 10, 2020 – March 28, 2020: Free Online Survival Challenge – 3 WHHC seats
• Saturday, January 11: $400 Qualifier with 4 WHHC seats
• Saturday, February 22 - $200 contest with top 2 WHHC seats
• Saturday, March 7- $200 contest with 2 WHHC seats

DerbyWars hosts online Qualifiers for the WHHC every Saturday night.  Players can qualify for as little as $22.    Complete DerbyWars Qualifier information can be found at DerbyWars.com.

The $150,000 World Harness Handicapping Championship Final is set for April 18^th, 2020.  The World Harness Handicapping Championship presented by DerbyWars.com is a one-day tournament, with a welcome reception the evening prior.  Players that did not earn a seat through a qualifying event can directly buy-in for $1,300.  The $1,300 entry fee includes a $300 bankroll, with the remaining $1,000 going to the prize pool.  The WHHC contest format requires players to bet 10 races: their choice of seven Meadowlands races, plus three designated mandatory races.  Players keep all pari-mutuel winnings.  Prize payouts are to the Top 10. 

For more information on how to become a WHHC partner outlet or sponsor, contact Rachel Ryan, Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment (raryan@playmeadowlands.com) or 201-842-5015.  For online qualifying on DerbyWars.com, players may contact support@derbywars.com.

RICH AND MISERABLE TAKES BIG M PREFERRED

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Except for a break two starts back, Rich And Miserable has raced well for some time now without getting a win.

He ended that drought by taking the featured Preferred Handicap for trotters at the Meadowlands Friday night to end a six-race losing streak. His last win came on Sept. 28 at Yonkers Raceway.

All eyes were on Southwind Chrome early. The 3-5 favorite was assigned post 10 (scratched down to post 9) and was seeking his third straight score against the best horses at the Big M. Driver Dexter Dunn left the gate with Southwind Chrome, but there were leavers to his inside, which pushed him extremely wide into the first turn.

Southwind Chrome settled into an early six-hole and waited for a live tow, which he got from Rich And Miserable before the half after that one vacated the three-hole after the quarter. Longshot Joey Bats (15-1) led the field past the first three calls, but Rich And Miserable was right at his throat on the far turn as Southwind Chrome tipped off his cover to race three-wide.

Southwind Chrome had trouble handling the turn and lost ground for the final three-sixteenths-of-a-mile sprint to the finish, which brought his win streak to an end. Rich And Miserable kept chipping away at the leader’s advantage, finally moving to get a short edge on Joey Bats at the head of the stretch. From there, the 4-year-old gelded son of Explosive Matter-Wishful Me extended his lead while keeping a super-game Joey Bats at bay to record a three-quarter-length win in 1:52.1. Cruising In Style, a 60-1 outsider, outkicked Southwind Chrome – who went well once straightened up – for the show dough.

Rich And Miserable paid $8.80 to win as the second choice in the wagering. Driven by Tyler Buter and trained by his dad Todd, Rich And Miserable – whose last Meadowlands win came on July 20 – now has 16 victories from 45 career starts, good for earnings of $400,422 for owners Buter Farm, Lynette Buter, William Fuhs and Carol Fuhs.

A LITTLE MORE: Driver Yannick Gingras followed up his five-winner Thursday with three more on Friday. … Andy Miller, Tyler Buter, Dexter Dunn and Eric Abbatiello had two apiece. … One patron playing into the Ontario hub was the only holder of a 20-cent Survivor Pick-10 ticket to last six legs and collected $9,407. … All-source handle totaled $2,428,157. … Racing resumes Saturday at 7:15 p.m.

GINGRAS WINS 5 AT BIG M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – After last weekend saw him win six races and finish second on nine occasions in just 34 starts, Yannick Gingras upgraded from superb to scintillating at the Meadowlands Thursday night, winning five times on the 11-race program.

Gingras, whose horses have earned over $13 million during 2019, now has 32 wins at the Big M Fall Meeting, trailing only Dexter Dunn, who has 41. Dunn did not race at the Meadowlands Thursday.

Gingras got things going in the third race, scoring with the Nick Surick-trained Sew Psyched in a fillies and mares $7,500 claiming pace. The 4-5 favorite hit the wire in 1:56 on the way to winning for the seventh time in 32 seasonal starts.

Gingras would then go from bake to broil, winning four in a row beginning in Race 6.

Cracklin Rosie scored in a fillies and mares conditioned pace for trainer Juan Cano. The 6-year-old mare completed the mile in 1:54 and won by 4½ dominant lengths in wire-to-wire fashion after being sent to the gate as the 3-5 public choice.

Next, Gingras guided 2-year-old gelding Island Of The Sea to victory after traveling first-over for the final half-mile in a non-winners of two pace. The Eric Ell trainee, who was the 4-5 favorite, hit the wire in 1:52.1 while winning for the second time in three lifetime starts.

Gloria Pierre gave Gingras his fourth score of the night with a gigantic mile as the 3-2 public choice in a fillies and mares $10,000-$12,500 claiming handicap pace. The Yogi Sheridan trainee went parked to the quarter from post 10, finally getting the lead just after three-eighths before taking pressure and holding sway to the wire in 1:53.3 for her eighth win of the year in 39 tries.

“I didn’t think the trip was that hard,” said Gingras. “She won really easy two starts back. When I got to the front tonight, I thought the fractions were fair. She did not surprise me at all.”

The incredible Preppy Art completed the 40-year-old driver’s five-bagger, scoring as the 4-5 choice in 1:53.1 in a $10,000 claiming pace. Preppy Art, who won for the seventh time in his last eight starts, was claimed for a seventh consecutive start, this time by Nick Surick, who was Preppy Art’s trainer for his win on Dec. 5.

“I knew I had some live ones tonight,” said Gingras. “I thought I had some power going in. I had some big favorites, so I tried to take control of the races.”

Even on a big night, Gingras did some second-guessing after tasting defeat with 1-5 favorite JB’s Shooting Star in the 10^th race. “It’s easy after the race,” said Gingras. “But I wish I had gotten closer to the front, (Andy McCarthy driving Woodmere Oleksiak) had position on me, and I had to outpace him home, instead of the other way around.”

A LITTLE MORE: Before Gingras, the last driver to win five times on a card was Dunn (on Dec. 13). … The last time a driver won six times was when Gingras turned the trick on Feb. 2. … The USTA’s Michael Carter did a superb job calling the races on the third of four “Borrow Ken’s Binoculars” Thursdays. … All-source handle on the 11-race card was $1,277,001. … Racing resumes Friday at 7:15 p.m.

FULL FIELDS, FABULOUS “4s” ON TAP AT BIG M

 Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The Meadowlands’ Pick-4 pools raised to high levels last weekend, just in time for what is in all probability to be a record three days in terms of average field size at the mile oval.

Last Friday (Dec. 13) and Saturday (Dec. 14) saw the second- and third-highest 50-cent Pick-4 pools of the Fall Meeting, as $95,479 was wagered Friday before $97,773 was bet Saturday. The top Pick-4 pool came on TVG/Fall Final Four night (Nov. 23) when $110,502 was poured into the pot.

Couple those numbers with the average field size of the three race cards that will be offered this Thursday-Saturday, and you get ideal conditions for big Pick-4 play.

This Thursday’s (Dec. 19) card gets a “perfect” score, as all 11 races have full 10-horse fields. The Friday (Dec. 20) and Saturday (Dec. 21) programs each have 14 races, with 13 full fields and one that has nine horses. In total, the Big M will offer 39 races over the three-day race week, with 37 offering 10-horse fields. The average field size – assuming no scratches – will be 9.95 horses per race. It’s hard to imagine a higher number than that over a span of three programs ever, even though records do not exist.

“We are so pleased at the response we’ve received at the entry box,” said Meadowlands’ Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “Big fields are what our customers want, and over the next three race cards, we will deliver.”

Last Friday’s Pick-4 featured a 75-1 winner in leg one, leading to a handsome payoff of $3,528 despite no horse longer than odds of 5-2 winning any of the final three legs. Saturday night’s 50-cent Pick-5 featured a 26-1 shot and a 36-1 shot, resulting in a single-ticket-winner payoff of $33,873.

Twenty-cent Jackpot Super High-Five players are no doubt chomping at the bit to get their action Thursday. The carryover for Race 5 is at $12,866, while Race 11 will start out with $54,275 in the hat.

Free program pages for the 50-cent Pick-4, the Big M’s signature wager that has a $50,000 guaranteed pool on Fridays and Saturdays as well as a low 15 percent takeout, are available at ustrotting.com and playmeadowlands.com.

CARTER’S UP NEXT: The USTA’s Michael Carter is next in the ‘batting order’ to “Borrow Ken’s Binoculars”, as guest announcers give Big M voice Ken Warkentin a breather on Thursdays during December. Carter will call the races Thursday (Dec. 19) with Big M TV personality Dave Little scheduled to call on Dec. 26.

DON’T PANIC! IT’S DEXTER AND YANNICK: Last weekend was another good one for the Big M’s dynamic driving duo of Dexter Dunn and Yannick Gingras.

Dunn won nine of his 26 drives, good for a win percentage of 35. The track’s leading driver upped his Fall Meet win total to 41 while compiling a positive return on investment of 34 percent over the three racing programs.

Gingras had six winners (and nine seconds) in 34 attempts (18 percent) and is second to Dunn in the overall standings with 27 victories.

QUINCY’S COOL: New York Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa held court on Saturday (Dec. 14) night at the track, signing autographs and taking selfies with fans as the U.S. Marine Corps collected hundreds of gifts for the annual “Toys for Tots” drive.

FOX5 sportscaster Tina Cervasio was on hand to serve as master of ceremonies at the event. She also helped out when driver Pat Berry won the 4,000^th race of his career, taking part in the winner’s circle presentation.

All toys collected were donated to Harlem Grown, helping to brighten the season for children in need.

DECEMBER SCHEDULE: During the month of December, live racing at the Meadowlands will be conducted on a three day a week basis, Thursday-Saturday. Post time is 7:15 p.m.

THANKING THE FANS: Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment will be showing appreciation for their fans with some concession specials on Friday (Dec. 20).

Hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn and soda will be available for $1, while Bud and Bud Light will cost only $2. The discount prices are available from 7-10 p.m.

PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT: On Dec. 20, card players who are 21 or older can play Texas Hold’em on “Free Poker Friday”, hosted by World Free Poker.

PLAY THE WHHC FOR FREE: The Big M will host a World Harness Handicapping Championship contest this Saturday (Dec. 21), and it is free to play.

Players must check-in at the Players Club Desk by 7:15 p.m. and complete the official contest form prior to Race 2.

Each participant will make mythical $2 across-the-board wagers on one horse for Meadowlands Races 2-10.  All selections must be made prior to Race 2 on the official contest entry form, and if a selection scratches, contestants then get the post-time favorite. The winner receives $1,300 and a spot in the WHHC Final on April 18, 2020.

For complete information, go to http://playmeadowlands.com/event_detail.aspx?id=17958.

MEADOWLANDS HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: Here is the holiday operating schedule for simulcasting at the Big M:

·         December 22: Closed

·         Christmas Eve: Closed

·         Christmas Day: Closed

·         December 29: Closed

·         New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

For more information, go to playmeadowlands.com.

FANDUEL HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: Here is the holiday operating schedule for the Big M’s FanDuel Sportsbook:

·         Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

·         Christmas Day: Closed

·         New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

·         New Year’s Day: 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.

For more information, go to playmeadowlands.com/fanduel.