GET READY TO PARTY AT THE MEADOWLANDS PACE

Thursday, July 11, 2024

Meadowlands Pace Night is known as “The Biggest Party in Harness Racing”.

And the facts back that up.

The eyes of the entire racing world will be focused on the mile oval on Saturday (July 13) as The Meadowlands plays host to harness racing’s greatest night. The Pace Night card – which can be seen live on FOX Sports 2 (FS2) for those who can’t make it to the track – has a laundry list of stakes events.

A total of $2,403,000 will be doled out over eight stakes. They are:

• $650,000 Meadowlands Pace (3YO OPEN PACE)
• $428,000 William R. Haughton Memorial (OLDER PACE)
• $425,000 E.T. Gerry Jr. Hambletonian Maturity (4YO OPEN TROT – 1 1/8 miles)
• $270,000 Stanley Dancer Memorial (3YOC&G TROT)
• $250,000 Del Miller Memorial (3YOF TROT)
• $200,000 Jerry Silverman Memorial (3YOF PACE)
• $140,000 Dorothy Haughton Memorial (OPEN MARE PACE)
• $40,000 Miss Versatility (OPEN MARE TROT – LEG 4)

MEADOWLANDS PACE DRAW: This is the field for the Meadowlands Pace, a 3-year-old open pace, with post position, horse, driver, trainer and morning-line odds:

PP – HORSE – DRIVER – TRAINER – ODDS

1 – Its Saturday Night – Andrew McCarthy – Nifty Norman – 20-1

2 – Funtime Bayama – Dexter Dunn – Andrew Harris – 7-2

3 – Nijinsky – Louis Roy – Anthony Beaton – 2-1

4 – Mirage Hanover – Tim Tetrick – Jake Leamon – 9-2

5 – Gem Quality – Yannick Gingras – Chris Ryder – 10-1

6 – Legendary Hanover – James MacDonald – Anthony Beaton – 3-1

7 – Captain Albano – Todd McCarthy – Noel Daley – 5-1

8 – Captain Luke – Scott Zeron – Tony Alagna – 15-1

9 – Captain’s Quarters – Jody Jamieson – Herb Holland – 8-1

10 – Number Cruncher – Jordan Stratton – Erv Miller – 20-1

Post time for The Pace, which is race 11 on the program, is 10:43 p.m.

PACE PREVIEW: On Thursday (July 11), check out The Big M’s Facebook page for a Meadowlands Pace preview show at 6 p.m.

Join Jessica Otten and Greg Blanchard as they review last week’s Pace eliminations and talk in detail about the field.

Otten and Blanchard will also discuss the other races on the star-studded program, give out all kinds of stats and facts, and also cover what is an attractive beefed-up wagering menu.

BE FESTIVE: The track’s signature event features the following festivities:

• “Pace Be With You” T-Shirt Giveaway –Begins 5 p.m. for the first 5,000 guests
• DJ in the Backyard –DJ ALX
• Carnival rides and games – Including mechanical shark, toxic moonwalk, 3-in-1 sports game, toxic obstacle course, axe throwing and two carnival games
• Win free $500 Win Bets –Five winners will have a chance to place a $500 win bet on a designated race. Entry in the live racing program
• Meadowlands Burger Battle
• Food Trucks
• Dining
• You can guarantee a spot to dine and watch all of the races in The Lounge, which is the center of the action with front-row seats to Victory’s giant screens. There are two- and four-top tables and bar seats available. Ticket purchase acts as food and beverage credit for Victory Sports Bar menu

For complete information, and to make reservations, go here

FOX SPORTS PACE NIGHT SHOW: The stakes-laden Meadowlands Pace Night card is not only for those who show up at the track, but for a national television audience to enjoy as well, as once again, the action will be broadcast coast-to-coast on FOX Sports 2 (FS2), beginning at 8 p.m.

Races six through 11 will be shown live on the three-hour presentation, and will be anchored in the New York Racing Association studio at Aqueduct Racetrack by Acacia Clement and Paul Verderosa, with the pre-eminent harness team of Jessica Otten and Gabe Prewitt providing analysis on track.

The half-dozen stakes events feature an all-star lineup. Here are the races that will be shown, with their post times:

• Race 6: Stanley Dancer Memorial, 8:23 p.m.
• Race 7: Dorothy Haughton Memorial, 8:51 p.m.
• Race 8: Stanley Dancer Memorial, 9:19 p.m.
• Race 9: E.T. Gerry Jr. Hambletonian Maturity, 9:46 p.m.
• Race 10: William R. Haughton Memorial, 10:13 p.m.
• Race 11: Meadowlands Pace, 10:43 p.m.

There are still plenty of FOX Shows remaining that will feature Meadowlands racing.

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

• July 13: Meadowlands Pace final, 8-11 p.m. (FS2)
• 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 TASTY PACE MENU: A great night of racing deserves a great wagering menu. Meadowlands Pace Night checks all the boxes for horseplayers around the world.

Here is the lineup of nine wagers that will offer a low 15 percent takeout, featuring three 50-cent Pick-4 wagers:

• Races 1-5: 20-cent Pick-5
• Races 3-9: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7
• Races 4-7: 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
• Races 6-11: 20-cent Pick-6*
• Race 7: 10-cent Hi-5
• Races 8-11: 50-cent Pick-4* ($100,000 guaranteed pool)
• Races 10-14: 20-cent Pick-5*
• Races 11-14: 50-cent Pick-4*
• Race 11: 10-cent Hi-5*
• * –– includes the Meadowlands Pace

Some of the featured performers on a night with a big handful of big races include:

• Meadowlands Pace (3YO OPEN PACE) – North America Cup winner and top-ranked Standardbred in North America Nijinsky looks to complete the first NA Cup/Pace double since Tall Dark Stranger turned the trick in 2020. Canadian-based trainer Tony Beaton not only schools 2-1 morning-line favorite Nijinsky, who won one of two eliminations a week ago, but also 3-1 second choice Legendary Hanover, who won the other elim.
• William R. Haughton Memorial (OLDER PACE) – Abuckabett Hanover looks for a second straight score after his sparkling 1:47.3 win in the Dave Brower Memorial. He takes on Graduate champion Voukefalas, who bumps up in class off a lifetime-best 1:47.3 clocking.
• E.T. Gerry Jr. Hambletonian Maturity (4YO OPEN TROT – 1 1/8 miles) – Winner’s Bet completed a three-race sweep of the Graduate one week ago, and will try and stay unbeaten in four seasonal tries as he attempts to overcome a second-tier starting berth.
• Stanley Dancer Memorial (3YOC&G TROT) – Harness racing’s undefeated darling Karl, the presumptive Hambletonian favorite, seeks his fifth win in as many 2024 starts in the first division, while division two features T C I, who went off stride in his last start after starting the year three-for-three, and Goodtimes winner Highland Kismet. The Dancer serves as the last major prep for the Aug. 3 Hambletonian, which will be televised on FOX Sports (FOX 5 New York locally).
• Del Miller Memorial (3YOF TROT) – Warrawee Michelle, the 2023 Breeders Crown champion, is the one to watch in the first division while Date Night Hanover, the Zweig winner, and Allegiant, who was victorious in the Moni Maker, top the second split.
• Jerry Silverman Memorial (3YOF PACE) – The first division features Pass Line and Caviart, who have combined earnings of over $1.1 million, while the second split has Fan Hanover winner Its A Love Thing taking on My Girl E J, a lifetime earner of over $800,000.
• Dorothy Haughton Memorial (OPEN MARE PACE) – Division standout Twin B Joe Fresh, who has already won the 2024 editions of the Perfect Sting, Roses Are Red and Betsy Ross, takes on her arch-rival – and 2023 divisional champion – Sylvia Hanover.
• Miss Versatility (OPEN MARE TROT – LEG 4) – M-M’s Dream, second in the Six Pack and Armbro Flight in her last two starts, looks like a short price as she looks to add to her gawdy $1.55 million lifetime bank account.

APPROPRIATION HELPS GROWTH: “Meadowlands Pace Night has turned into a mega event the State of New Jersey can be proud of,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “Since Gov. [Phil] Murphy signed Racing Bill S2992 in 2019, interest in Meadowlands Pace Night has exploded.”

That bill, supported by both Gov. Murphy and the N.J. State Legislature, has helped pump $20 million a year into the racing industry – divided between the Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds – which has helped both the “runners” and “trotters” thrive in all facets of the business.

Since the appropriation began in 2019, handle on Meadowlands Pace Night has bustled. That year, $4,044,303 was wagered, followed by $5,051,261 (in 2020), $4,403,213 (2021), $4,733,390 (2022) and $5,672,535 (2023).

The handle on the Meadowlands Pace itself over the last five years, beginning in 2019, was $499,925, $645,423, $677,987, $551,617 and $821,356, respectively.

“The support we have received from Gov. Murphy and the members of the N.J. State Legislature has gone a long way toward helping to grow the harness game in the Garden State,” said Settlemoir. “The money has helped us do things such as bring breeders back to the state, which has strengthened our sire stakes program. In addition, nights like this Saturday would not attract the interest – or handle – that they do unless we had that money from the state. All of us in the harness industry owe a great deal to the Governor and the Legislature.”

CALLING ALL FOODIES: Foodies, Meadowlands Pace Night is your night, too, especially if you like a good burger.

Come out and purchase and taste some of the best burgers in the area as local joints compete for cash prizes and the title of “Best Burger”.

Fans can enter for a chance to win a seat at the official judging table as well. Two fans will be selected. Judging takes place at 7 p.m.

If you think you make the best burger in town, impress the judges for a chance at $3,000 in cash prizes. The competition is open to area food trucks and restaurants.

Battle details:

• The contest takes place from 5-11 p.m. in the Backyard. Entrants must be ready to sell by 4 p.m. and can sell any food items in addition to burgers
• Cash prizes: $1,500 Grand Prize; $1,000 for second place; $500 for third. There is also a $500 prize for the best tasting patty
• $100 entry fee for vendors
• Entrants must prepare six burgers for a judging at 7 p.m. Burger can be any combination of meat and toppings. Judging is based upon 60 percent taste and 40 percent presentation
• To register, please email Rachel Ryan at rryan@playmeadowlands.com

LAUGH ON FRIDAY, PACE ON SATURDAY: The night before the Meadowlands Pace, Comedy Night returns to The Big M on Friday (July 12), and due to repeated sold out shows in the past, there will now be two shows offered, one at 7 p.m., and the other at 9:30 p.m.

Each show features different comics so guests have the option to purchase tickets for both. You will be able to keep the same seats for both shows.

For more information, a talent list, and to purchase tickets, go here.

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.

This weekend, not only will Blanchard be with Otten on Thursday. He will join Dave Little on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set on both Friday and Saturday.

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 Otten (@JessicaOtten1), 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.

On Thursday (July 11), the New York Mets play a day game, but the New York Yankees will play at 6:51 p.m. as they pay a visit to Tampa Bay to take on the Rays.

The Yanks are a -120 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.