The three-day St. Patrick’s Day weekend celebration comes to the East Rutherford, New Jersey area starting on Friday, March 15, and with temperatures expected to be at or near 15 degrees Celsius, millions will be in a partying mood, so The Meadowlands welcomes everyone to one of the grandest of racetracks, and you don’t have to hail from County Cork or County Mayo to be part of the action.

Big M fans will be hoping the luck of the Irish will be smiling on them when live harnes racing action takes place this Friday and Saturday with a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m.

In the aftermath of last Saturday’s (March 9) night-long downpour, with the weather this weekend (March 15-16) expected to be far better, it’s a perfect time to head out to The Big M to take in the racing live, and while you do, enjoy a delicious Irish-themed buffet courtesy of Chef Chris Burnet as you celebrate Ireland’s best-known patron saint. The Friday and Saturday dining experience costs only $49.95 and has all the St. Patrick’s Day staples. Guests can enjoy Irish fish chowder, Reuben egg rolls, corned beef brisket, Irish goulash, white cheddar bacon mac and cheese, colcannon and Irish soda bread. Homemade chocolate Irish cake and cookies provide a sweet treat to end the night.

In addition, last Saturday, both the 20-cent Pick-8 and 20-cent Pick-6 went unhit, so there will be a pair of carryovers to titillate the pallets of multi-leg players when racing resumes on Friday night. The Pick-8, which paid out $437.24 to those with seven winning selections, will start out with $6,980.20 up for grabs, while the 20-cent Pick-6, which returned $121.30 to those with five winners, will begin with $6,535.74 in the hat.

Scott Zeron, who recently collected the hardware as the 2023 Dan Patch Driver of the Year, will be Dave Little’s guest on Big M TV’s live simulcast pre-game show on Saturday. “In the Sulky” will reunite Zeron and Little, who last sat together when Zeron served as colour commentator for the 2022 Hambletonian on the live simulcast show while nursing several injuries. Saturday’s interview, which will include video highlights from Zeron’s super season, will begin at 5:50 p.m.

A special Saturday shines light on women in harness racing

Last Saturday, a ray of sunshine on a rainy night was the celebration of International Women’s Day, which included two races that featured all-female drivers.

Annie Stoebe (Alta Blues A, race five, $10.60 to win) and Devan Miller (Beach Vibes, race seven, $7.40) were the winning drivers in the dashes, while Jenna Otten joined sister Jessica on the live broadcast. Dawnelle Mock handled back paddock interviews.

The two races with the lady pilots were hotly contested and well received by the wagering public, as the first dash took in $223,495, and the second, $205,667.

“Thank you to all of the ladies that participated on what was a very special night,” said Jason Settlemoir, Meadowlands Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. “It was quite an evening, and it gave all of the powerful females in our sport an opportunity to show what they can do, both on and off the track.”

(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)