Friday night's program at the Meadowlands Racetrack will offer fans and horseplayers a dozen well-matched fields.

The feature has been carded as Race 6, a $13,000 conditioned/optional claiming trot where a field of eight veteran square-gaiters will battle for the winner's share.

There's a new face among the octet, that of Dale Wareham and Kris Rickert's five-year-old gelding Wilberforce. A winner in 15 of his 45 career starts, Wilberforce matured into a top-level performer last season, as he won 10 of his 33 seasonal starts, earned over $100,000, and took his mark of 1:53.1 over Pocono Downs. After a short respite at the end of 2016, he returned in fine form by capturing pair of open trots at Northfield Park to kick off the new year.

B Yoyo and Watkins lead the competition – both are rock-solid performers, are on familiar turf, and had six-figure seasons in 2016.

Wilberforce will make his Meadowlands debut for new trainer Nick Sodano on Friday with Eric Carlson set to do the driving from Post 7.

The lead promotion on Friday is ‘Text To Win’ where cash and prizes will be awarded to participants. You must be a member of the Meadowlands’ text-to service in order to win. Text ‘NewBigM’ to 23819 and you are signed up.

The exciting ‘Own A Horse’ promotion is gearing up for February, it's time to enter and join the fun.

The racing will begin at 7:15 p.m.

(Meadowlands Racetrack)