‘BUCKY’ A GOOD ‘BETT’ ON FF4, FDC NIGHT AT BIG M

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Just 48 hours after Thanksgiving, The Meadowlands will serve up one last stakes-laden 2024 feast on Saturday (Nov. 30), when $2,572,400 in purses will be doled out on Fall Final Four/FanDuel Championships Night.

One horse looking to close out a season in which he hopes to walk away with divisional honors is Abuckabett Hanover, a veteran 6-year-old who is the likely favorite in the FanDuel Open Pace.

During 2024, “Bucky” has put together quite the resume, winning the Potomac Pace, Dayton Derby, William Haughton Memorial and Dave Brower Memorial.

“You know why I’m happy if Bucky is lucky enough to win?” co-owner Bill Pollock told Debbie Little in a recent edition of Harness Racing Update. “He toiled behind Bulldog Hanover, Allywag Hanover, Tattoo Artist, a lot of great, great horses, and he was always in their shadow, and now this year, I feel he really broke out on his own and really did a good job.

“I’m so happy for him. I know he doesn’t know he might win it, but I’m so thrilled for him. I think we have a very good shot at it. Plus, if he’s successful in the FanDuel, he’ll cross $2 million lifetime.”

Pollock, along with partners Bruce Areman and trainer Andrew Harris, have been on a buying spree in an effort to build a championship-caliber barn.

Pollock plunked down over $5 million purchasing 18 yearlings at the 2023 sales at Lexington and Harrisburg. Over the last two years, they’ve spent almost $12 million in stocking Harris’ stable, which includes a then-record online purchase of $534,000 for Abuckabett Hanover in 2022, before they topped that mark with a $758,000 purchase several weeks ago of two-time Breeders Crown champion My Girl EJ.

No longer having to go up against horses like Bulldog Hanover and Allywag Hanover, Abuckabett Hanover hopes to be the bully on the playground when he faces some other top-flight competitors Saturday night.

Ruthless Hanover, the winner of the Joseph Auger Memorial earlier this year at Harrah’s Philadelphia, and Coach Stefanos, who won the Breeders Crown in eye-popping last-to-first fashion, are two of the horses who are looking to take Bucky down.

A SLICE OF HISTORY: The FanDuel Open Pace is an event that historically has featured some of the biggest stars in the game.

From the moment it burst onto the scene in 2013, the FanDuel Open Pace was an instant hit. Modeled after Thoroughbred racing’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, it pits 3-year-olds who care to face older foes to see if any of the star sophomores can take on more seasoned horses and continue to excel. The Open Pace immediately stamped itself as one of the biggest events in harness racing. It also tried to accomplish something very important. The Open races gave owners a reason to keep racing’s greatest stars on the track for the fans, which has helped racing grow.

Here’s a look at a decade’s worth of stars:

• 2013 – Billed as a battle between 9-year-old fan favorite Foiled Again and 3-year-old star Captaintreacherous, it would be “Foiled” emerging victorious in 1:49.2 for driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Ron Burke. Foiled Again would go on to become the richest standardbred of all time, with a bank account of $7,635,588.
• 2014 and 2015 – Burke was at it again after 5-year-old Sweet Lou (2014, 1:48) and 6-year-old Bettor’s Edge (2015, 1:50) upped the trainer’s win streak in the event to three. Sweet Lou was piloted by Ron Pierce; Bettor’s Edge was handled by Matt Kakaley, who just walked away with his third consecutive driver title at Pocono Downs.
• 2016 and 2017 – Dave Miller, the second leading money-earning driver in history, went back-to-back, scoring with 5-year-old Always B Miki (2016, 1:48.2) for Jimmy Takter and 7-year-old Mach It So (2017, 1:49.2) for Jeff Bamond.
• 2018 – 7-year-old McWicked capped off a season in which he was voted the Dan Patch Horse of the Year after winning in 1:48 for driver Brian Sears and trainer Casie Coleman. The first six editions of the FD Open Pace had not seen any winner under the age of 5, but that was about to change.
• 2019 – Always A Prince became the first of four consecutive 4-year-olds to win the race. Yannick Gingras and Tyler George teamed up for the victory in 1:48.2.
• 2020 – The great Bettor’s Wish scored for Dexter Dunn and Chris Ryder in 1:48.1.
• 2021 – One of the best older pacers of this generation, Allywag Hanover won for Todd McCarthy and Brett Pelling in 1:48.1. Two years later, in 2023, he would become the only horse to win this dash twice, as then, at age 6, he stopped the clock in 1:49.1 for the same driver-trainer combo.
• 2022 – In between Allywag’s two wins came a stakes-record performance of 1:47.3 by the marvelous Bulldog Hanover. The fastest horse in Standardbred history by virtue of a 1:45.4 clocking at The Big M, won the 2022 edition in the final start of his illustrious career for Dunn and Jack Darling.

DOUBLING UP: Gingras, Miller, Dunn and McCarthy all have two wins apiece to sit atop the drivers list in the FD Open Pace.

Burke has three wins to lead the trainers. Pelling is next with two.

GETTING OLDER, GETTING BETTER: Four-year-olds have four wins in the event while 5-, 6- and 7-year-olds all have two each. One 9-year-old has also emerged victorious.

No 3-year-old has ever won the FanDuel Open Pace. Three have tried and come up short. They are Captaintreacherous, who finished sixth in 2013; Bettor’s Wish, second in 2019; and Confederate, eighth in 2023.

THE STARS WILL COME OUT: The Meadowlands is known for its big-event programs, and with the Breeders Crown added to the mix this year, The Big M has already played host to Meadowlands Pace Night, Hambletonian Day and the Crown.

The last of the “Fab 2024” takes place on Saturday (Nov. 30), on Fall Final Four/FanDuel Championships Night.

Here are the eight major events that will take place:

• $382,200 Governor’s Cup (2YOC&GP)
• $338,200 Three Diamonds (2YOFP)
• $447,000 Valley Victory (2YOC&GT)
• $455,000 Goldsmith Maid (2YOFT)
• $325,000 FanDuel Open Pace
• $325,000 FanDuel Open Trot
• $150,000 FanDuel Open Mare Pace
• $150,000 FanDuel Open Mare Trot

CAN ‘FRESH’ FINISH ON WINNING NOTE? The leading horse in the race for Horse of the Year, Twin B Joe Fresh, will look to up her seasonal stats to 11 wins from 13 starts in the FanDuel Open Mare Pace.

A year ago, the Chris Ryder trainee became the first 3-year-old in history to win this event, and now that Ryder has announced that the daughter of Roll With Joe-Fresh Breeze will race in 2025, a win Saturday puts her in line to possibly record a natural hat trick in this dash next year.

FA-REEE! To show appreciation to its loyal fan base, The Meadowlands offers free programs on every race of every race card on its website.

Go to playmeadowlands.com to get the past performances at absolutely no cost.

GIVE TO A GREAT CAUSE: It’s time for the annual Toys for Tots drive at The Meadowlands.

Beginning Friday, Nov. 29, all are welcome to donate new, unwrapped toys for kids in need every day until Friday, Dec. 13, when the United States Marines Toys for Tots reception takes place.

At the reception, meet former Nebraska Cornhusker and New York Jet wide receiver Quincy Enunwa.

SEE THE PAST MASTERS: Come and see a great classic rock and roll show as The Past Masters perform live in Trackside on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Come enjoy live music, horse racing and food and drink specials.

The Past Masters have a strong Big M link, as their drummer is the track photographer, Michael Lisa.

The music begins at 7 p.m. and the show is free to attend.

TRIBUTE SPECTACULAR: How about a show when you get to see Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Elton John and Billy Joel all in the span of three hours in the same venue?

OK, it’s not possible, but if you come to The Meadowlands on Saturday, Dec. 14, you’ll get to see a tribute show so good, you’ll think you are seeing the real thing.

The music begins at 7 p.m., and for complete information and to buy tickets, go here.

IT’S HOLIDAY TIME: With holiday party time upon us, why not have your group have a fun night at the races by having your gathering at The Meadowlands?

Great food, great drink and great entertainment are guaranteed, and all you have to do to have a great night at the races is call 201-THE-BIGM.

SEASON’S GREETINGS: “At this time of year, on behalf of Jeff and Paula Gural, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of our owners, horsemen and employees for all of their dedication to the sport of harness racing and The Meadowlands,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “And, of course, we want to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to our faithful fans. Without them, and their loyalty to us and our product, we would not be the No. 1 harness track in the world. We are grateful to have them.”

THE SKED: Racing continues at The Meadowlands every Friday and Saturday. Post time for the first race is 6:20 p.m., but before that, check out the live pregame show with news, notes and selections from the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set at 5:45 p.m.

WATCH IT: The Meadowlands is not only the most popular nighttime signal in harness racing, but in all of horse racing, regardless of breed.

For those who want to watch and wager on Big M dashes, it’s hard to imagine their local simulcast or Off-Track Betting venue wouldn’t offer it. But in case they don’t or you’d rather stay at home, check out your favorite ADW (advance deposit wagering site), such as racing.fanduel.com. Another way to view the action is to go to the Roberts Television Network (rtn.tv) site.

“X” MARKS THE SPOT: Everything Meadowlands is available by going on X (formerly known as Twitter). You can check in with the Big M team for early changes, racing information and staff selections by going to @themeadowlands or #playbigm.

Stay in touch with The Big M team of Jessica Otten (@JessicaOtten1), Dave Little (@DaveLittleBigM), Ken Warkentin (@kenvoiceover) and John Rallis (@john_rallis).

RALLIS’ RACE REVIEWS: For some help with your handicapping, check out the race reviews of Rallis, who is the Big M’s morning-line oddsmaker and program analyst.

Rallis’ reviews are available 48 hours before a given card, and all one has to do to access the information is go to playmeadowlands.com, go to the “handicapping” tab, then click “race reviews.”

FOOTBALL IN FANDUEL: In addition to the best harness racing, The Meadowlands also offers the best in sports betting, which means, of course, the National Football League.

Fans know they can watch and wager on all of the NFL action in comfort with plenty of great food options inside the grandstand at The Big M in the FanDuel Sportsbook, the No. 1 facility of its type in North America.

What would Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 28) be without football? Before you head to Grandma’s for the big feed, come to the FanDuel Sportsbook and get all of your action.

In the early game, the Chicago Bears head to Detroit for a 12:30 p.m. kickoff with the Lions. Detroit is a 10½-point favorite who are -520 on the money line in the game that has an under/over of 48½ points.

The 4:30 p.m. game sees a pair of struggling teams square off, as the New York Giants head to Dallas, where the Cowboys are a 3½-point favorite (-194) in the game that has an under/over of 37½.

Finally, the Green Bay Packers welcome the Miami Dolphins to Lambeau Field for an 8:20 p.m. matchup. The Pack is -3½ (-176) in the game that has an under/over of 47½.

The New York Jets play on Sunday (Dec. 1) when they host the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium at 1 p.m.

Seattle is a 1½-point favorite (-130 on the money line) in the game that has an under/over of 41½ points.

Whatever the sport, for the latest odds, go here.

The FanDuel Sportsbook is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-1 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-1 a.m.; and Sunday 8 a.m.-midnight. For cash-at-counter customers, the hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.-11 p.m.