When the Meadows resumes live racing Tuesday, September 3 after a two-week hiatus for track restoration, fans will enjoy a number of exciting changes, including larger fields for select races and a week of cash drawings.

The most significant developments, of course, are improvements to the racing surface — which will feature restored banking in turns and a limestone-silica composition expected to be more resilient in rain and snow — and a new racing schedule. With only two exceptions, the Meadows will offer daylight racing exclusively through the end of 2013 with a 12:55 p.m. first-race post time for each card.

But fans will notice a number of other changes to enhance their experience, including:

10-Horse Fields — The Meadows will offer as many as eight races per week with 10-horse fields; since the track starts nine across, each of those races will include a horse starting from the second tier. The track collaborated with the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association on the expanded-fields concept.

“Races with trailers should be more challenging to handicap,” said Meadows Racing President Mike Jeannot. “We expect that to provide bigger payoffs and more carryovers in our Pick 4, Pick 5 and Superfecta wagers.”

Cash Drawings — To welcome back fans, the Meadows will give away $1,000 over the four live programs from September 3 to September 6. Five times during each day’s card, one lucky fan will win $50 and a Meadows 50th anniversary tee shirt.

Handicapping Contests — Each Saturday in September starting September 7, Racing Player Rewards members may participate in thoroughbred handicapping contests, with Churchill Downs the featured track.

The Meadows’ live racing program in September includes a rich menu of stakes highlighted by the $1.2-million Pennsylvania Sires Stake championships on Friday, September 13. The program will include a $250,000 championship and a $50,000 consolation for each of four divisions for three-year-olds. First post September 13 is 6:55 p.m.

(Meadows)