As the Meadowlands readies for its standardbred meet this fall, plans are also underway for 2011

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“No one should doubt that there will be a 2011 meet at the Meadowlands – anywhere from 100 to 141 dates – and it will feature the highest quality of racing with purses ranging from good to industry-leading, depending on the success of our negotiations,” said Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey President Tom Luchento.

“We know horsemen need to make their plans, and rest assured the Meadowlands will be racing next year,” Luchento noted. “We thank all of you who have aided us in many ways, including donations to our political action committee, TrotPAC. We hope we can continue to count on your support.”

Meanwhile, the Meadowlands is gearing up for its 2010 fall meet, which will begin on Saturday, October 23 and will run weekends through December 18. First-race post time each Friday and Saturday will be 7:00 p.m.

The first session of qualifiers will be held on Friday, October 15. Entries for the session will be due by 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 14. There will also be a qualifying session on Tuesday, October 19. Entries for the session will close at 10:00 a.m. on Friday October 15.

The first condition sheet for the meet will be released this Thursday.

Nominations for Meadowlands Racetrack's six fall stakes series close Friday, October 15.

All six stakes events feature two preliminary legs worth $15,000 each and finals estimated at $50,000 (based on 30 nominations). Five of the six events are for pacers, including a pair of two-year-old stakes – the No No Yankee for colts and geldings and the Savilla Lobell for fillies. Both are for non-winners of three races or $50,000 in lifetime earnings (up to and including October 11). Both of these series will feature elims on October 29 and November 5.

The Escort for colts and geldings and the Stienams Place for fillies carry the same earnings limits, but are for three-year-olds. Elims are on October 30 and November 6.

The Willow Wiper for four-year-old pacers that are non-winners of $150,000 in lifetime earnings will have its elims on October 30 and November 6.

The only trotting event is the Paul Doherty Memorial for three-year-old colts and geldings that are non-winners of three races or $50,000 in purse earnings. The elims will take place on October 29 and November 5.

All six stakes finals will be contested Saturday, November 20.

(SBOANJ)