BETTING TOPS $5 MILLION ON MEADOWLANDS PACE NIGHT

Thursday, July 18, 2024

Meadowlands Pace Night (July 13) brought a mixture of predictability and surprise, and was highlighted by the fastest-ever Pace – a mythical 1:46.3 mile put up by Legendary Hanover – as well as the third $5-million night of business at the windows over the last five Pace Nights.

Wagering on the 14-race program totaled $5,136,129.

The Pace – as well as five other major stakes events – were broadcast live to a nationwide audience on FOX Sports 2 (FS2) as The Big M and the TV team at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) continue to team up in a continuing effort to expand harness racing’s exposure.

“Without question, FOX Sports has raised the bar significantly,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “I want to thank NYRA and their team for their commitment to excellence in broadcasting. The three-hour show was informative, and their exciting way of showing the best in Standardbred racing to an international audience has clearly raised the interest on Meadowlands Pace Night to another level.”

The numbers prove that Meadowlands Pace Night clearly is bigger at the most important place: the windows.

The average Pace Night handle over the last five years (2020-2024) is $5,051,261. That number is over $1-million more than the $4,048,993 Pace Night averaged over the first five years of the New Meadowlands era (2011-2015).

The widespread visibility isn’t ending anytime soon, as there is still plenty of action to come on the networks of FOX Sports.

Here is the tentative schedule for the remaining Big M broadcasts with the marquee event(s) that will be shown. Where not listed, specific networks – FOX, FS1 or FS2 – will be determined:

• August 3: Hambletonian, 4:30-5 p.m. (FOX)
• October 18: Breeders Crown eliminations, 1-6 p.m. (TBD)
• October 19: Breeders Crown eliminations, 8-11 p.m. (TBD)
• October 25: Breeders Crown finals, 8-11 p.m. (TBD)
• October 26: Breeders Crown finals, 8-11 p.m. (TBD)

A GREAT NIGHT AT THE RACES: The Meadowlands Pace Night card brought non-stop excitement, and also brought just the right amount of likely and unlikely results to keep all players in the game all night long.

The on-track crowd packed the apron on the hot summer night to enjoy many different choices from the many food trucks that were on site. In addition, some patrons got to be judges in the “Best Burger” contest, which is always a popular promotion at the mile oval.

A recap of the races:

• Meadowlands Pace: Legendary Hanover turned in a story-book performance, setting a stakes record with his sizzling 1:46.3 clocking. Three-time defending O’Brien Award-winning Driver of the Year (for being the top pilot in Canada) James MacDonald became the first Canadian-based pilot to win the Pace in 37 years.

Nijinsky, the No. 1 horse in the sport coming into the race, was second, completing a trainer Tony Beaton exacta.

• William Haughton Memorial: This is the race two years ago that saw Bulldog Hanover record the fastest mile in harness racing history of 1:45.4. This year’s edition confirmed who the top older pacer in the game is now as Abuckabett Hanover followed up his 1:47.3 win in the Dave Brower Memorial with a 1:47.4 Haughton score.
• E.T. Gerry Jr. Hambletonian Maturity: After an alert getaway from post 10, Chapercraz rallied from fifth at the head of the stretch before prevailing at the wire by a neck in a four-horse photo, scoring at odds of 32-1 to top a $7,000 trifecta and a 10-cent superfecta that returned just under $60,000. Even-money favorite – and Graduate champion – Winner’s Bet finished 10^th in the 12-horse field.
• Dorothy Haughton Memorial: All hail the Queen! After adding the Haughton trophy to a mantle that already has the 2024 Perfect Sting, Roses Are Red and Betsy Ross hardware on it, Twin B Joe Fresh became the top-ranked horse in the weekly Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown Top 10 poll. The superstar 4-year-old mare has won five races in a row.
• Jerry Silverman Memorial: Caviart Belle came from well off the pace to take the first of two divisions while Its A Love Thing wore down leader My Girl EJ nearing the wire in the second dash.
• Del Miller Memorial: French Champagne stamped herself as a big-time player in the Hambletonian Oaks as she followed up her win in the New Jersey Sire Stakes final with a victory in the first of two Miller splits. After going off-stride in each of her two outings coming into the second division, R Melina minded her manners to pick up her 11^th win from 19 lifetime starts.
• Miss Versatility (4^th leg): Tactical Mounds recorded her second straight Versatility victory by grabbing the lead and holding off heavy favorite M-M’s Dream.
• Stanley Dancer Memorial: These two divisions provided the most shocking results of the night, and in the process, turned the Hambletonian upside down.

In the first division, the unbeaten Karl had the lead at the head of the stretch, but could not hold off the late rallies of Sig Sauer and Tony Adams S, who finished first and second, respectively, as Karl finished third, the first time in his 15 career starts that he failed to finish in the top two. Sig Sauer returned $138 to win, and paid a remarkable $335.80 to place, as bridge jumpers took it on the chin with Karl in the place pool (there was no show wagering).

The second split featured the other two of the three early Hambo favorites, T C I and Highland Kismet, but Situationship picked up his third win of the year in four tries to jump into the Hambletonian fray. T C I finished third, while Highland Kismet was well off the gate at the start before finishing sixth in the seven-horse field.

The Hambletonian picture is fuzzy to say the least, and after the Dancer, it makes for what promises to be a highly-competitive 99^th edition of the $1-million dash.

The Hambo eliminations take place in nine days at The Big M (on July 27), with the seven-figure final to follow seven days later (on Aug. 3) on Closing Day at the mile oval.

BIG MONEY: After Legendary Hanover won the Meadowlands Pace, there was one winning ticket in the 20-cent Pick-6, which was good for a return of $57,497.22.

The biggest 50-cent Pick-4 pool of the year was recorded on races eight through 11 after $144,968 was pushed through the windows.

Big pools were the norm on Pace night, with large numbers bet on the Early 20-cent Pick-5 ($82,353), Early 50-cent Pick-4 ($77,881), Late Pick-4 ($80,805) and Late Pick-5 ($68,630).

BURGER BATTLE: When the dust cleared and the judges’ made their decisions, these were the winners in Saturday night’s “Burger Battle.”

• Antijitos de Mi Tierra Colombian Cheeseburger: Lettuce, tomatoes, black angus beef patty, caramelized onions, potato sticks, house sauces (garlic cilantro, pink, sauce and pineapple sauce)
• Lots of Meat BBQ Big Daddy Smash:Double patties smashed with yellow onions and topped with American cheese, thinly sliced pickles and red onions, fresh arugula, potato sticks and a tangy “Big Mac”-style burger sauce
• Holy Grail Burger Double Smashed Angus: Vidalia onions, bacon, cheese, peanut butter, jelly, on a buttered and toasted brioche
• Best Patty: Antijitos de Mi Tierra
• Most Unique: Tie between Groomington Eats for their doggie treat burger and fries and Uncle Rob’s Kettle Corn’s Chocolate Caramel Kettle Corn bun with sweet and salty pretzel ice cream patty

IT’S CORNTASTIC: On Saturday (July 20), come to the races for a Corntastic evening.

Guests can get a free ear of grilled Jersey-fresh corn, and can enter some “corny” competitions, which include corn husking, corn carrying and corn eating.

Top prize in each competition is $500.

For more information, go here.

SEAFOOD FEST: The Meadowlands Seafood Fest takes place on Saturday, July 27, which is Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks eliminations night.

The festival takes place from 5-11 p.m., during which time one can enjoy fresh and delicious seafood from area food trucks and restaurants. Plus, the Backyard Grill and Bar will be featuring a shrimp cocktail and more.

For complete information, go here.

CASINO AND POKER NIGHT: If you like casino gaming, and giving to good causes, check out Hambletonian Charity Casino and Poker Night at The Meadowlands on Friday, Aug. 2.

The Standardbred Retirement Foundation and The Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame are the event’s sponsors.

The evening’s festivities will include an open bar, dinner, poker, roulette, craps, blackjack and raffle prizes.

The poker tournament has limited seating, so it is highly recommended you purchase tickets in advance. The grand prize is a trip for two to Las Vegas (which includes hotel and airfare). Second prize is $350, with third prize at $175.

For complete information, go here.

HAMBLETONIAN DAY: Simply put, harness racing’s greatest day takes place on Saturday, Aug. 3, as the $1-million Hambletonian and $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks are the marquee attractions as The Meadowlands hosts a program that will have world-wide appeal.

The best place to be that day is in the middle of all the action and activities at the track.

The doors will open at 10 a.m., so come and claim your spot. The first race goes at noon.

There will be a $5 admission, but that includes a commemorative 99th Hambletonian hat for adults and kids.

Dress Code: Big M management is encouraging everyone to wear their finest fits (best summer attire) – especially in dining areas Trotters, Pink, the Skybox Suites, Lounge and Victory Terrace.

Guaranteed dining/seating available for purchase:

• $300 Promenade Table – Seats four people and table purchase includes admission
• $100 Cafe Table – Seats 4 people and $100 is food credit for use at the Cafe (admission not included)
• Second-floor Lounge seating – Tables of two and four available along with four-person couch. Purchase is beverage and food credit for Victory (admission not included)

Festivities include live music in the Backyard by the Craig Sailer Project; carnival rides and games throughout the Backyard; and a Hambo Hat contest (sign up is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Clubhouse Lobby. Prizes – First: $500, Second: $250, Third: $100, Fourth: $50; Fanciest: $100.)

In addition, the FanZone Tent will have free swag giveaways all day, and there will also be a driver and trainer autograph session from 10:30 a.m. until noon.

THE STAKES MENU: Estimated purses to be distributed on Hambletonian Day total just over $3.2 million. The list of stakes:

• $1-million Hambletonian (3-year-old open trot)
• $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks (3-year-old filly trot)
• $300,000 John Cashman Memorial (open trot)
• $275,000 Cane Pace (3-year-old colt and gelding pace)
• $275,000 Sam McKee Memorial (older pace)
• $175,000 Lady Liberty (older mare pace)
• $150,000 Dr. John Steele Memorial (older mare trot)
• $90,000 Shady Daisy (3-year-old filly pace)
• $240,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes final (2-year-old colt and gelding trot)
• $240,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes final (2-year-old filly trot)

THE SKED: Live racing takes place every Friday and Saturday at The Meadowlands with a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m.

The Big M’s live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pregame show begins every racing night at 5:45 p.m.

Racing will take place every Friday and Saturday through Aug. 3. Post time is always 6:20 p.m. with the exception of Aug. 3, Hambletonian Day, when post time is noon.

FREE PROGRAMS EVERY NIGHT: Past performances for every race of every Meadowlands card are available free of charge. All one has to do is go to playmeadowlands.com to access the information.

“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) and Ken Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).

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

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.”

BRING THE KIDS, WIN A CAR: When you come to The Meadowlands, you can make a score at the windows. But now, you could also walk away with a brand new 2024 Toyota Camry LE AWD by participating in the track’s HorsePlay Giveaway, which takes place every race day until Friday, Aug. 2.

The HorsePlay Giveaway is sponsored by Purple Haze Stables.

The contest has patrons throwing little plastic horses into the car that will be given away for a chance to win it. Of those horses that end up on the track, the kids can get involved. Children who help out picking up the plastic horses off the track will receive a free ice cream at the Café.

For complete information, and to enter this extremely popular promotion, go here.

FANDUEL IS FANTASTIC: The FanDuel Sportsbook, the No. 1 facility of its type in North America, is something Meadowlands fans are well aware of. After all, it’s located inside the grandstand at the mile oval.

With numerous huge-screen TVs, plenty of comfortable seating and food and drink options, serious sports bettors know that the book at the track is the place to be.

Major League Baseball’s All-Star Break means regular-season games do not resume until Friday (June 19), when the New York Mets travel to Miami to take on the Marlins at 7:11 p.m.

The Mets are a -136 favorite in the game that has an under/over of 8 runs.

The Tampa Bay Rays will head for the Bronx for a 7:06 p.m. game with the New York Yankees.

The Yankees are a -184 favorite in the game that has an under/over of 8 runs.

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.