Monday evening’s qualifiers served as a dress rehearsal for Saturday night’s grand opening of Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment’s brand new grandstand.

Meadowlands employees and their families were invited to Pink, the terraced dining room in the new building, for a complimentary tasting of the new menu and give the servers a test run of the facility.

The races began at 6:00 p.m. with the accomplished older trotter Mister Herbie cruising around the oval in 1:53 for driver Tim Tetrick. After a :57 half, Mister Herbie turned on the jets and won by many lengths. Trainer Jeff Gillis shares ownership of the $1.7 million winning son of Here Comes Herbie with Mac Nichol and Gerald Stay.

So Surreal won easily in 1:53.4 for trainer/driver Ray Schnittker prepping for next week’s Governors Cup eliminations. Gewertz, Kurnit and Arnold are partners with Schnittker on the colt.

Another preview night of qualifiers comes along this Thursday at 6:00 p.m. Horsemen have been invited to attend on that occasion to sample the fare in Pink. Then the house opens for real on Saturday with a stakes-laden card of racing.

(Meadowlands)

To view results for Monday's qualifiers, click the following link: Monday Results – Meadowlands Racetrack.