Cabin fever. It’s defined as “irritability, listlessness and similar symptoms from long confinement or isolation indoors during the winter.”

With May just 10 days away and great weather expected for the upcoming weekend, it’s time to break out of the winter doldrums, and what better place could there be to go for all kinds of action, entertainment and dining options than The Meadowlands?

“As we celebrate the upcoming stakes season, The Meadowlands hopes to become your warm weather destination for the spring and summer seasons," said Jason Settlemoir, Meadowlands' Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. "We offer fun and excitement for everyone at one of the finest entertainment venues in the Metropolitan area.”

If you talk Meadowlands, you begin with some of the best harness racing in the world. While it’s true that stakes season doesn’t kick off in full force until the weekend of May 6-7 when the New Jersey Sire Stakes, Graduate and Miss Versatility get the hearts of fans racing, but this Saturday (April 23), the track is hosting a powerful program.

The sixth race Open Handicap for trotters stars Hillexotic, who prevented Lovedbythemasses from staying perfect in five 2022 starts when they hooked up two Saturdays ago.

In the 10th race, an Open for four-year-old pacers, trainer Nancy Takter sends out a talented duo of One Eight Hundred and Red Right Hand while Brett Pelling will counter with South Beach Star, whose lifetime best of 1:48.1 is just one tick slower than One Eight Hundred’s all-time fastest effort. Both marks were taken at The Big M.

Finally, the 12th race Open for pacers features a power-packed field of six.

“The Open Pace is my shortest field number-wise,” said Scott Warren, Racing Secretary. “But it’s not short as far as quality. I’ve only got six, but it’s a good six.”

Workin Ona Mystery and Let It Ride N finished 1-2 when they last met at Dover Downs on March 31. Then, Workin Ona Mystery followed that up with a Big M score a week ago as the 3-5 public choice. Also in the field is J M Mandamin, who rocketed home in :25 in his qualifier last week, as well as American History, who in three different seasons established sub-1:48 seasonal-bests at The Big M as a three-year-old (1:47), five-year-old (1:47.1) and six-year-old (1:47.2).

(With files from The Meadowlands)