If it’s true good things come in small packages, the upcoming two weeks at The Meadowlands are not to be missed. That’s because the mile oval will be conducting a brief “Mini Meet” where live action will be contested over a two-week period when four programs will be in the spotlight before harness racing takes a five-week break.

The Mini Meet race dates are Aug. 30 and 31 and Sept. 6 and 7. Post time is 6:20 p.m.

“This meeting might be brief, but it will have some serious racing as the New Jersey Classic will take center stage with eliminations during our opening weekend and eight championship finals – with total purses estimated at $1.7 million [USD] – during closing weekend,” said  said Jason Settlemoir, Meadowlands' Chief Operating Officer and General Manager.

The New Jersey track just took a three-week hiatus after another highly successful Hambletonian Day, where Karl gave driver Yannick Gingras his first-ever Hambletonian win while trainer Nancy Takter notched her second consecutive score in harness racing’s version of the Kentucky Derby, which was seen live coast-to-coast on broadcast television on FOX Sports.

Betting, as usual, was a Hambo Day delight. For the sixth time in the last seven years, all-source handle on the Hambletonian Day program topped $7 million USD, with the 2020 COVID-19 card the only one to fail to reach that plateau. Despite several downpours during the course of the day, a total of $7,427,223 USD was wagered on the blockbuster 16-race program, good for an average per race of $464,201 USD. Business was predictably brisk on the Hambletonian itself, as $1,115,982 USD was pushed through the windows on “America’s Trotting Classic, the third year in a row where betting busted the million-dollar barrier.

Taking a look further down the road, when The Meadowlands returns on Oct. 18 after the Mini Meet concludes, the action will be sizzling from the start as the Breeders Crown – harness racing’s $7 million USD end-of-the-year championship extravaganza – will come to town with eliminations on the 18th and 19th, followed by the big-money finals one week later, on the 25th and 26th.

By the way, fans of Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing are in for a treat on Oct. 18. That Friday will have a rare double header at The Big M, when the harness action gets underway at a special early post time of 12:30 p.m. before a program of turf racing for the “runners” begins at 7 p.m.

The Red Mile’s Gabe Prewitt will join Big M TV’s Dave Little on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set this weekend (Aug. 30 and 31). The live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pre-game show gets underway every live racing day at 5:45 p.m. Past performances for every race of every Meadowlands card are available free of charge at playmeadowlands.com.

The Meadowlands is hosting its annual 30 and under handicapping contest on Saturday, Aug. 31. The free handicapping competition is exclusively for fans between the ages of 18 and 30 and offers a $5,000 USD total prize pool. Fans may register for the entry-fee free contest in the clubhouse lobby until 6:30 p.m. The contest format requires players to make a mythical $2 across-the-board wager on one horse in races two through 11 at The Meadowlands. The winner is the contestant who amasses the highest bankroll from their selections.

Hang out with a pair of New York quarterback legends when Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason answer your questions on Saturday, Sept. 7 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the second-floor Lounge at The Meadowlands. There will be a special Q&A moderated by New York Times best-selling author Todd Ehrlich, so come ready with your queries about the upcoming NFL season, college football and/or their storied football and broadcasting careers.

Head to Meadowlands to see Los Mini Enmascarados (Mini Masked Wrestlers) perform the unique Mexican cultural art of Lucha Libre in the ring on Saturday, Sept. 7. They will show off their flying aerials, scissor kicks, wheelbarrow holds and defend their titles, so don’t miss this dynamic cultural spectacle performance by certified Lucha Libre wrestlers. This family friendly event kicks off at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Matches will take place between the live races.

Visit the Meadowlands website for complete event information, pre-registration or to purchase tickets.

(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)