Live racing at the Meadowlands Racetrack will increase during the month of December, and based on how successful he was during November, that likely suits Dexter Dunn just fine.

Thursday racing will makes its debut this evening (Dec. 5), as the ‘Big M’ will up its number of live racing nights from two to three during December (live action will be on tap every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening at 7:15 p.m.).

Dunn, whose career has been on a meteoric rise since coming to America in the summer of 2018, drove 23 winners during November to lead the Big M driver colony. The New Zealand native, who was the regular driver for such standouts as Bettors Wish and Manchego, piloted three winners on a card five times during the month and won four on one occasion.

Dexter Dunn, pictured victorious with Manchego.

Following Dunn on the November driver’s hit parade were Yannick Gingras (16 wins), Tim Tetrick (13), Tyler Buter (11), Andy Miller (10), David Miller (10) and Andy McCarthy (9).

The depth of talent of the Big M driver colony – and how evenly matched it is – is confirmed by a look at what’s transpired over the last two weeks at the mile oval. The top four in terms of Universal Driver Rating with at least 15 drives are Gingras (.279), McCarthy (.278), Tetrick (.270) and Buter (.268).

The trainer colony is also stacked, as five conditioners had two wins last weekend (Nov. 29-30): Trish Adams, Juan Cano, Tom Fanning, Patti Harmon and Andrew Harris.

SOUNDS OF THE SEASON: Just like last year, Thursdays in December will feature guest announcers who will 'Borrow Ken’s Binoculars,' as Big M voice Ken Warkentin will open his track announcer’s booth to four different callers.

This evening (Dec. 5), Big M TV regular fill-in and longtime harness and Thoroughbred announcer Peter Kleinhans will call the races. The colourful Larry Lederman will be up next on Dec. 12, followed by the USTA’s Michael Carter on Dec. 19 and ‘Racing from the Meadowlands’ regular Dave Little on the 26.

(With files from the Meadowlands Racetrack)