HAMBLETONIAN DAY COUNTDOWN AT NINE

Thursday, July 25, 2024

In nine days, a mere 216 hours from now, harness racing’s greatest day – featuring harness racing’s greatest event – will take place on Saturday, Aug. 3, as a 16-race blockbuster card takes center stage at The Meadowlands, with the 99^th edition of “America’s Trotting Classic”, the $1-million Hambletonian, in the spotlight.

Also on the program is the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks, as well as a long list of other enticing stakes which would be the envy of any iron chef – or any handicapper – with estimated purses totaling just over $3.2 million. The bill of fare:

• $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)

But there’s plenty of “Hambletonian Festival” activities going on leading up to the big day.

DRIVE AWAY HAPPY: As part of the Hambletonian excitement, someone will win a new car on Hambletonian Eve.

That night, someone will drive out of The Big M in a brand new 2024 Toyota Camry LE AWD in the track’s HorsePlay Giveaway, which takes place every race day until the car is given away on 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, 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.

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.

A TASTY MENU: The Hambletonian Day betting menu is sure to please, offering non-stop action from race one – which gets underway at noon – until the 16^th and final dash – which goes at approximately 7 p.m.

Since it is the last day of the Championship Meet, all wagers will offer mandatory payouts, and, in addition, there will be $350,000 in guaranteed pools.

Here’s what will be offered:

• Races 1-6: 20-cent Pick-6 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
• Races 3-7: 20-cent Pick-5 ($75,000 guaranteed pool)
• Race 7: 10-cent Hi-5 (Pentafecta)
• Races 5-8: 50-cent Pick-4
• Races 6-12: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7
• Races 9-12: 50-cent Pick-4 ($100,000 guaranteed pool)
• Races 12-15: 50-cent Pick-4 ($125,000 guaranteed pool)
• Race 16: 10-cent Hi-5 (Pentafecta)

A FLURRY OF ACTIVITY: 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 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 the $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.

WHAT AN EXPERIENCE: If you’d like to have a fun Hambletonian experience while walking around one of the world’s greatest entertainment and retail centers, then head to The Garden at East Rutherford’s American Dream on Saturday (July 27).

American Dream and the Hambletonian Society are teaming up to host a Harness Racing Fan Experience event from noon-2 p.m.

The Fan Experience will preview the upcoming races that will take place at The Meadowlands and highlight some of the biggest moments in harness racing. There will also be a live Hambletonian ambassador pony available to pet and take photos with, along with fan giveaways. In addition, there will be exclusive American Dream and Meadowlands discounts available.

CATCH THE HAMBO ON FOX: On Hambletonian Day, both the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks can be seen on the networks of FOX Sports, as the TV departments at The Big M and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) continue to bring harness racing to a nationwide audience.

“The Meadowlands is fortunate to be teaming up with NYRA and FOX to present an incredible afternoon of racing on Hambletonian Day,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “Many of Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing’s greatest stars and greatest races will be seen by an international audience that day.”

The 99^th Hambletonian, which is race 12 on The Big M program, is slated to go at 4:45 p.m. and will be shown to a nationwide audience on the main FOX network (locally on FOX 5 New York). Fans of the “runners” will no doubt keep the TV on to catch the latter part of “Saratoga Live”, when the Gr. I Whitney will be the marquee event. The Whitney should head to the gate at approximately 5:45 p.m.

They’ll be more harness action later in the day, as during “America’s Day at the Races”, the Hambletonian Oaks – race 14 at The Meadowlands – will be shown live at approximately 6:06 p.m. It can be seen on FOX Sports 2 (FS2).

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 p.m. (FOX)
• August 3: Hambletonian Oaks, 6 p.m. (FS2)
• 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)

ELIMINATIONS THIS SATURDAY: Here are the fields for the $100,000 Hambletonian eliminations, to be held on Saturday (July 27) with horse, driver, trainer and morning-line odds (the top five in the official order of finish advance to the final):

ELIMINATION ONE – RACE 9

PP – HORSE – DRIVER – TRAINER – ODDS

1 – Bella’s Musclehill – David Miller – Nifty Norman – 6-1

2 – Waterfall – Todd McCarthy – Tony Alagna – 20-1

3 – Highland Kismet – Bob McClure – Mark Etsell – 3-1

4 – Benny J – James MacDonald – Tony Alagna – 10-1

5 – Supernova Hanover – Dexter Dunn – Per Engblom – 15-1

6 – Karl – Yannick Gingras – Nancy Takter – 4-5

7 – Security Protected – Tim Tetrick – Marcus Melander – 12-1

8 – Sig Sauer – Andrew McCarthy – Noel Daley – 8-1

9 – Caballero – Scott Zeron – Trond Smedshammer – 20-1

10 – Situationship – Ake Svanstedt – Ake Svanstedt – 9-2

ELIMINATION TWO – RACE 11

PP – HORSE – DRIVER – TRAINER – ODDS

1 – T C I – David Miller – Ron Burke – 2-1

2 – Amazing Catch – Dexter Dunn – Ake Svanstedt – 10-1

3 – Secret Agent Man – Andy Miller – Julie Miller – 4-1

4 – Mars Hill – Todd McCarthy – Tony Alagna – 15-1

5 – Private Access – James MacDonald – Luc Blais – 5-1

6 – Life on the Bluf – Yannick Gingras – Lucas Wallin – 20-1

7 – Dame Good Time – Scott Zeron – Travis Alexander – 3-1

8 – Bright Star – Andy McCarthy – Tony Alagna – 8-1

9 – Wild Ticket – Tim Tetrick – Marcus Melander – 15-1

10 – Daiquiri Hanover – Ake Svanstedt – Ake Svanstedt – 10-1

“Ten horses with everyone on the gate will make for more contentious eliminations,” said Settlemoir. “The higher you finish, the better your chances of drawing an advantageous post for the big-money Hambletonian final.”

SEAFOOD FEST: The Meadowlands Seafood Fest takes place this Saturday (July 27).

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.

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 Friday marks the first of the final four racing programs of the meeting. Post time is always 6:20 p.m. with the exception of Aug. 3, Hambletonian Day, when post time is noon.

On Hambo Day, the pregame show will kick off at 11:30 a.m.

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.”

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.

After being swept in the Bronx by the crosstown rival New York Mets, the New York Yankees have Thursday (July 25) off.

The Mets, who have a record of 31-15 since an awful 22-33 start, begin a four-game series at CitiField in Queens with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday at 7:10 p.m.

The Braves, with Cy Young Award contender Chris Sale pitching, are a -118 favorite in the game that has an under/over of 7½ 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.