The women are taking over The Meadowlands this Saturday, March 8 on International Women's Day, and Lauren Harmon is excited to be a part of the celebrations.

The 24-year-old horsewoman will participate on Saturday in an all-female driver’s race on a night that will showcase the ladies of the sport.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating women's social, economic, cultural and political achievements. It also calls for action to accelerate women’s equality.

“This is such a male-dominated sport,” said Harmon. “It’s a great thing that The Meadowlands is doing for us women, who aren’t always recognized or seen as much as the male drivers, trainers and grooms.

“So, it’s great for not only the people inside the business, but also those watching and looking from the outside in. It’s a great spotlight for us women.”

Some of harness racing’s most visible ladies will be at the track that night covering the action from every angle and location as The Big M celebrates IWD with Jessica Otten of Meadowlands TV serving as the host of the live simulcast presentation. Otten's U.S. television presence includes many appearances over the last several years on FOX Sports’ broadcasts of some of the biggest events in the game, such as the Meadowlands Pace and Hambletonian.

Joining her on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set will be Emily Ratcliff, who is the director of sponsorships and marketing partnerships at The Red Mile. In addition, she is the co-host of the Hambletonian broadcast on the CBS Sports Network and is still part of the on-air talent team at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.

Jenna Otten, the TV presence from Scioto Downs who has done several FOX broadcasts with her sister, Jessica, will conduct interviews from the back paddock.

The final member of the female broadcast team is Melissa Keith, the track announcer at Rideau Carleton Raceway, who will be on the microphone calling some races during the course of the night. Keith is the only full-time female race caller in harness racing.

Finally, Jessica Hallett, an award-winning photographer who is also currently a contributor to racing news websites, will be on-site capturing the night’s event with her talented pictorial eye.

“We have stacked the deck with many of the major female players in our sport,” said Jason Settlemoir, Meadowlands Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. “We have a field of 10 for the all-female drivers’ race, and have all broadcast bases covered as well. All of us at The Meadowlands are pleased to have a night like this, because we realize how major a role women play in our sport.”

In addition to Harmon, the nine drivers who will be participating in the fifth race are Christina Grubich, Leslie Joyce, Marianna Monaco, Vicky Gill, Alexandra Sarkine, McKenzie Sowers, Vicki Stratton, Sarah Svanstedt and another Lauren, Tritton.

Harmon said it’s a tough field.

“Someone like Lauren Tritton, she is a great driver, but she doesn’t get as much recognition for what she does,” said Harmon. “She was the first woman driver to be in the Battle of Lake Erie [at Northfield Park] and win it.”

Harmon, who has 43 career driving wins, including one against the “regular drivers” last month at Northfield with 3-2 favourite Solidazabrickhouse, who is trained by her stepmom, will depart from the rail in Saturday’s fifth race. She will pilot the Ron Burke-trained Oakwoodjusasnob IR, who will be making her second start on North American soil.

“I took a quick look,” said Harmon of the field. “I was a little nervous to look at the draw, but at The Meadowlands, even having the outside, you still have an opportunity [to win]. But it’s always better to draw inside. I’m excited to drive for Ron. I haven’t looked too much into the horse but I’m sure he’ll be ready to go. Whatever Ronnie says, we’ll do.”

The evening will include sizzle videos – short promotional videos also known as demo reels, highlight reels, show reels, promo videos, pitch tapes or teasers – and interviews with the industry’s top female trainers, drivers and grooms.

The Meadowlands sends a huge thank you to the event sponsors, Clinton Tractor, Mackenzie Strange with Mackenzie Made (providing gifts for the ladies), Terry Taufner from Corporate Images (winner’s circle blanket) and Oradell Family Dental.

During the month of March, live racing at The Big M will be conducted every Friday and Saturday with a first-race post-time of 6:20 p.m. The live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pre-game show starts at 5:45 p.m. every Friday and Saturday when track announcer Ken Warkentin opens up the mic with a scene set and program changes. The Meadowlands offers free program pages for every race of every race card on its website at playmeadowlands.com.

During Friday’s pre-game show, Dave Little will interview 22-year-old driver Brett Beckwith on the next installment of “In the Sulky.” Beckwith, the 2024 Dan Patch Rising Star Award winner, has won 12 Meadowlands races over the last four race cards. The segment will begin at approximately 5:50 p.m.

Come on out to the track on Saturday, March 8 and catch UFC 313 in The Gallery, a game-day ready destination for live sports, celebrity meet and greets and more. This private room features walls of TVs, plus a central 220″ jumbo screen, as well as its own bar and self-service betting machines. The featured bout on Saturday pits Alex Pereira, with a record of 12-2-0, against Magomed Ankalaev, 20-1-1, in a light heavyweight matchup. The main card gets underway at 10 p.m.

(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack; photo of Lauren Harmon from a previous win)