Chalk players took it on the chin during opening weekend at the Meadowlands Racetrack last week. Favourites won just four of the 25 races conducted last Friday and Saturday, as the Big M hosted live harness racing during the month of September for the first time since 1976. The second and final weekend of September racing takes place Friday and Saturday night beginning at 7:15 p.m. with 13 races scheduled each night.

Friday’s action is highlighted by the fourth leg of the Kindergarten Series for two-year-old trotters and a conditioned trot led by Hambletonian third-place finisher Sutton.

In the first of three Kindergarten divisions for the boys, New Jersey Viking, shared in ownership by Knutsson Trotting and Jeff Gural’s Little E LLC, looks for his third straight stakes victory. He sports the highest earnings ($83,768) and the fastest win mark (1:55.1) of the 23 freshmen entered in the Kindergarten. Trainer Ake Svanstedt will drive the son of Muscle Hill. New Jersey Viking will also face Explosive Ridge, a 14-1 upset winner of a Kindergarten division last week. Svanstedt employee Lucas Wallin is listed for the return drive for the Explosive Matter gelding trained by Nancy Johansson, who shares ownership with Kenneth Ross.

Eighteen fillies were split into two Kindergarten divisions, Race 8 and Race 10 on the card. Last week’s divisional winners, Hillarmbro and Dream Baby Dream, will square off in the first division. Dream Baby Dream is a perfect two for two in her young career for breeder/owner/trainer/driver Rod Allen. The 60-year-old Allen is the son of harness racing legend Carl Allen, best known as the trainer of CR Kay Suzie and 1992 Meadowlands Pace winner Carlsbad Cam. Dream Baby Dream is by Muscle Hill out of a daughter of CR Kay Suzie.

On the wagering front, the average win payoff last weekend was more than $12. The average $2 exacta payoff was just under $100 and the average $2 trifecta was more than $600.

Friday night also marks another ‘Text To Win’ night at the racetrack. Fans are encouraged to text ‘NewBigM’ to 23819 in order to sign up for the Meadowlands mobile club. Throughout the evening, fans will receive text messages that include coupons for free wagering vouchers, food and beverage offers, and other giveaway items.

(Meadowlands Racetrack)