A pair of threes is not usually a strong hand, unless it’s referring to this weekend’s racing at the Meadowlands, where a trio of New Jersey Sire Stakes events top the Friday racing program and three series finals highlight the Saturday evening card.
Friday’s action will see Samis Rolin Stone listed as the even-money morning line choice in the three-year-old NJSS filly trot for driver DeWayne Minor. U Need Stones is 4-5 for Yannick Gingras in the three-year-old colt and gelding trot, while Hypnotic Tale will start out at 4-5 in the three-year-old filly pace with David Miller in the bike.
On Saturday, all eyes will be on the Meadowlands Pace-eligible Thinkbig Dreambig in the $47,000 Escort Series for three-year-old colts and geldings. The Jimmy Takter trainee was headed for victory lane a week ago in his career debut after being bet down to 3-5 only to suffer interference and end up fourth, then placed third. Takter will drive the son of Bettors Delight.
K Js Justine and Ideal Talker were the winners of the two divisions of the second leg of the Rainbow Blue Series last week and will go at it in the $42,500 final for three-year-old pacing fillies before the $35,200 Hot Lead Final for pacers of any age hit the track, featuring Leg Two winners Commentariat and Ballerat Boomerang, as well as Santiago Style, who went off stride while rallying in deep stretch as the 9-5 choice in the Ballerat Boomerang division.
Post time is 7:15 p.m. for the Friday and Saturday live programs.
The carryover for harness racing’s biggest pot of gold is nearing the quarter-million-dollar mark. The ‘Big M’s Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five carryover stands at $233,359. If after the race is declared official there is only one bettor holding a ticket with the winning combination, he or she will rake the gigantic pot.
Additionally, the Meadowlands’ TV team will add harness racing jack of all trades Gabe Prewitt to the group that includes Dave Brower, Dave Little, Ken Warkentin and Hall of Famer Bob ‘Hollywood’ Heyden for the remainder of the Championship Meeting. Prewitt will make his debut Friday night when he will serve as co-host of the live in-house simulcast presentation of ‘Racing from the Meadowlands.’
(With files from the Meadowlands Racetrack)