Meadowlands Racetrack has shown growth in both attendance and live handle in the first quarter of 2012 under the management of New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC (NMRLLC)

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Live wagering on the Meadowlands races was up 13.8 percent through the first 35 nights of racing, from $9.3 million in 2011 to $10.6 million in 2012. With all-source wagering also up slightly, the total Meadowlands handle saw an increase of 5.5 percent to $81 million. Attendance also increased 7.4 percent to 83,673.

“While Mother Nature has obviously been helpful, I think our guests recognize there is a new spirit and an effort being made to make the experience of attending the races more enjoyable,” said NMRLLC Chairman Jeff Gural. “I would like to thank the employees and horsemen for their contributions to that effort. We have a lot of new ideas that will hopefully get some new, younger customers once the Championship Meet opens in May.”

The Championship Meet kicks off Friday, May 4 and includes a full slate of weekly promotions and marquee stakes races. New to the summer events schedule are a t-shirt giveaway and Girls Night Out, featuring a cooking demo with celebrity chef Ariane Duarte, on Kentucky Derby Day (May 5); Made In NJ Weekend, during which local bands and BBQ masters will battle for cash prizes (June 1-2); Stride For The Cure 5K, which begins and ends on the racetrack and benefits the American Cancer Society (June 23), and the introduction of the popular Corntastic Weekend (July 27-28) from Tioga and Vernon Downs.

Meadowlands Pace Night (July 14) will be the biggest party night of the year with a vodka tasting, Jersey boardwalk-style rides and games and a post-race concert by the B Street Band. Hambletonian Day (August 4) continues its rich tradition as a day of family fun with rides, games, autograph session and music by the Amish Outlaws.

The Horse Play Car Giveaway will also make its Meadowlands debut during the summer meet. Every night, beginning May 4, guests who make a $1 donation to the Charity of the Month will receive a rubber horse to try to throw into the window of a moving car. One successful guest from each night will receive a $100 betting voucher and be entered into a grand prize drawing to win the vehicle on the night of the Championship Meet Finale (August 18). NMRLLC will match every dollar raised from the sale of the rubber horses and donate the proceeds to a local charity each month.

(Meadowlands Racetrack)