Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Everyone
throughout harness racing has been mourning the loss of longtime Meadowlands
lead TV personality, morning-line odds maker and program analyst Dave Brower,
who passed away on Oct. 7 at the age of 53.
On Saturday (Nov. 12), those who knew
Brower well, or were just among the many who thought highly of his talent, can
come out and say goodbye at Brower’s “Celebration of Life”, which will take
place at 5:30 p.m. in the Big M winner’s circle. For those who cannot attend,
they can watch live on rtn.tv (Racetrack Television Network).
“We continue to mourn the loss of
Dave Brower,” said Meadowlands’ Chief Operating Officer and General Manager
Jason Settlemoir. “But on Saturday night, we can put our sadness aside, for at
least a little while, and pay tribute to Dave with his family and friends
coming to the track and swapping happy memories and stories about someone who
not only meant an awful lot to us at The Meadowlands, but to the entire
industry as well.”
Social media has blown up for five
weeks with tributes to Brower. Three TV personalities who worked a lot with
Brower had heartfelt sentiments about their fallen friend.
Dave Little, co-host on
“Racing from The Meadowlands”: “As good as Brower was, he always made it his business to tell
everybody else how good they were. That was the essence of Dave Brower.
Whatever the pursuit, he was the best guy in the room, but he was always busy
telling everyone else how good they were.”
Gabe Prewitt, co-host on the Red Mile
simulcast: “We are devastated by the passing of our co-worker and dear friend
Dave Brower. The worst day imaginable. He will be greatly missed and forever in
our thoughts.”
Gary Seibel, co-host on many national
Hambletonian broadcasts: “I know I join thousands in and out of the horse
racing world who are in complete shock and totally devastated by the loss of
our dear friend and colleague, Dave Brower. You will be sorely missed. Rest In
Peace.”
KINDERGARTEN FINALS: Two-year-olds will be in the
spotlight on Saturday’s card, with four Kindergarten Series finals. Those
dashes – with purses totaling just over $1 million – are:
·
$279,290 Filly Trot: Mambacita will try to avenge her
defeat at the hands of Bond in last week’s final preliminary.
·
$268,180 Colt and
Gelding Trot: Volume
Eight looks to up his win streak to four for trainer Noel Daley. Last week, the
son of Chapter Seven broke early, gave up a ton of ground heading to the
quarter before rebounding with a remarkable score.
·
$233,970 Colt and
Gelding Pace: Loubet
impressed in last week’s fourth leg, scoring for fun in just his third lifetime
outing.
·
$238,810 Filly Pace: Bellisima Hanover is the one to beat
while Cultured looks for a minor upset off a fourth-leg win.
DON’T MISS THIS: After Hambletonian Day and
Meadowlands Pace Night, the next biggest race card of the year at The
Meadowlands is Fall Final Four/TVG Finals Night, which takes place on Saturday,
Nov. 26.
That evening, eight events make up the
last major night of the harness racing year. Two-year-olds will be in the
spotlight in four $400,000 (est.) dashes: the Governor’s Cup (male pace), Three
Diamonds (filly pace), Valley Victory (male trot) and Goldsmith Maid (filly
trot).
In addition, there will be four TVG
Finals: the $350,000 (est.) 3&up Pace, $350,000 (est.) 3&up Trot,
$175,000 (est.) 3&up F&M Pace and $175,000 (est.) 3&up F&M
Trot. Estimated purses for the stakes events total $2.65 million.
Divisional honors will be up for
grabs as the stakes eight-pack will go a long way helping voters determine who
will walk away with those trophies.
Bulldog Hanover, as he has in
virtually all his starts this year, will be the main attraction. The aged
pacing superstar, who has already clinched Horse of the Year honors, will
compete for the final time in his career in the TVG Open Pace.
Another horse that history will look
upon in a bright light, the great Atlanta, will also be making her final
lifetime appearance. The career earner of more than $3 million will look for
one more big score in one of the TVG trotting events.
WHAT’S AHEAD? On Saturday (Nov. 12), come to the
track for the races and some great music when you experience the ultimate Elton
and Elvis Tribute Show. Ralph Carey performs the songs of Elvis Presley while
Russ Davis does Elton John.
Each performer will do one set solo,
and the duo will come back and play a set together. All the music will be
backed by a live band.
For tickets, go to https://meadowlandsracetrack.ticketleap.com/elvis-and-elton-tribute-show/
If you opt for dinner and the show,
the buffet starts at 5:30 p.m. and the music begins at 8 p.m. The music ends at
approximately 10 p.m. Dinner and show take place in Trackside, which is on the
ground floor of the track.
AND THE WEEK AFTER? On Saturday, Nov. 19, get a head
start on your holiday shopping by entering The Big M’s Black Friday Gift Card
Sweepstakes. Winning gift cards will be valued at $50, $100, $250 and $500.
BRING JOY, BRING A TOY: Bring a new, unwrapped toy to the
track to give a child in need some happiness this holiday season, and if you
do, you’ll get a $5 betting voucher.
The Big M’s “Toys for Tots” drive
begins Nov. 22 and runs through Dec. 9. On the 9th, former New York
Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa will be on hand from 7-9 p.m. helping the U.S.
Marine Corps collect gifts before he personally delivers them to Harlem Grown –
an organization whose mission it is to inspire youth to lead healthy and
ambitious lives. Justin Waters from PIX-11 will serve as master of ceremonies.
CHECK OUT THE SHOW: On Friday night, don’t forget to
check out the live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pregame show. It begins at
5:45 p.m.
The on-set team of Dave Little and
Jessica Otten will give updates on what’s happening in the sport and talk at
length about that evening’s featured races.
Things will be different than usual
on Saturday, as the Dave Brower “Celebration of Life” – which will begin at
5:30 p.m. – will take place instead of the usual pregame show.
FREE PROGRAMS: Free past performances for every race
of every Meadowlands program are available 48 hours before a given card. To
access the no-cost official program pages, go to playmeadowlands.com.
LOW TAKEOUT, BIG POOLS: The Meadowlands offers plenty of
value to the bettor with six wagers nightly that offer low 15 percent take
outs, plus two that offer a guaranteed pool of $50,000. They are:
·
Race 1: 20-cent Pick-5
·
Race 3: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7
·
Race 6: 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed
pool)
·
Race 8: 20-cent Pick-6
·
Race 10: 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed
pool)
·
Race 14: 10-cent Hi-5
GET YOUR FOOTBALL ACTION: Thursday (Nov. 10) Night Football
will take center stage in the FanDuel Sportsbook, the No. 1 facility of its
type in the country, inside the grandstand at The Meadowlands.
The visiting Atlanta Falcons are a
2½-point favorite over the Carolina Panthers. The game has an under/over of 41½
and will kickoff at 8:15 p.m.
On Sunday (Nov. 13), the New York
Giants host the Houston Texans in a 1 p.m. start. The Giants are a 5½-point
favorite in the game that has an under/over of 40½.
The New York Jets, off a win over the
Buffalo Bills, have their bye week.
Hours for the book 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.-midnight.
