Live harness racing will return to the Meadowlands Racetrack this Friday (November 13) with eliminations and preliminary events for several important stakes on the menu.
The $1.2 million TVG finals for the older horses are scheduled for next weekend, so preliminary TVG open events for those horses are on the opening-weekend card.
The $25,000 mare opens each drew fields of six, with names like Bee A Magician, Shake It Cerry, Classic Martine heading up the trot and point leader Venus Delight and Sandbetweenurtoes in the pace. The $200,000g TVG finals for mares will be raced on Friday, November 20.
Six pacing horses were entered in that division, among them JK Endofanera – who currently resides at the top of that list – Doo Wop Hanover, Mach It So and new entrant Arthur Blue Chip.
Seven trotters declared, with Obrigado, Meladys Monet, Master Of Law, Natural Herbie, Resolve and DWs NY Yank to be joined by EL Titan, who will be making his first start in the series. Each of these opens carry a purse of $50,000, and the $400,000g TVG Open finals are scheduled for Saturday, November 21.
Eliminations for the $1.5 million Fall Final Four freshman stakes are also set for opening weekend.
The Three Diamonds drew eight pacing fillies – therefore no eliminations are needed, and all entrants will advance directly to the $385,250 (estimated) November 20 final. The eight declared are Blue Moon Stride, Call Me Queen, I Said Please, JK Fannie, Penpal, Shezarealdeal, Skinny Dipper and Yankee Moonshine.
The Goldsmith Maid filly declarations numbered 11. A bye was accepted by the connections of Kathy Parker, and the remaining 10 will race to eliminate one and join her in the $409,950 (estimated) November 20 final.
The Governors Cup box contained 16, which split neatly into a pair of eight colt pacer eliminations on Saturday night. The top five from each will return, with elim winners drawing from Post 1 through Post 6 for the $413,000 (estimated) final on Saturday, November 21.
Nineteen trotting colts entered for the Valley Victory, so the eliminations this Saturday will feature fields of 10 and nine, with the same result as the pacers determining which colts will compete in the $489,400 (estimated) final next Saturday. First race post time for race nights during the Fall Meet at The Meadowlands will be 7:00 p.m.
The first 3,500 fans ages 18 and over attending Opening Night will receive a mystery voucher that can be redeemed and could be worth up to $500. All vouchers will be worth at least two dollars.
Opening Weekend continues Saturday, November 14. Fans wagering on-track using self-service machines will have the chance to receive a variety of instant prizes ranging from betting vouchers to food and beverage coupons that will print directly on the self-service machines. The prizes will print out at random intervals after a wager is placed.
“Since the end of Hambletonian Day in August, we have been looking forward to the return of live racing here at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment,” said Jason M. Settlemoir, CEO and General Manager of MRE. “The season starts with some exciting promotions and big-time stakes races that are sure to be must-see events for our fans.”
Fans will have the chance to win one of several free $500 win wagers. Plus, harness racing’s richest horse of all-time, Foiled Again, will be honoured with a variety of celebrations including contests to win a Foiled Again Breyer Horse model autographed by his driver, Yannick Gingras, and his trainer, Ron Burke.
“Between the important year-end stakes races, exciting promotions, and upscale dining, there are plenty of reasons for fans to come out to the Meadowlands as we kick off the fall racing season,” said Settlemoir.
Reservations can be made at Pink Restaurant, the upscale dining room on the track’s third floor overlooking the racetrack. Executive Chef Dennis Sammarone, a well-known veteran of the New York City dining scene, creates a rotating seasonal menu. Tableside cocktail service compliments the delicious fare, which includes dishes such as fresh seasonal salads, authentically prepared pastas, a variety of entrees and delicious desserts. Call (201) THE-BIGM for reservations or visit opentable.com.
For complete racing and promotional schedule plus updated dining menus, visit playmeadowlands.com.
(with files from The Meadowlands)