Leading Midwestern-based driver, Tyler Smith, is expected to move east to the Meadowlands Racetrack beginning Thursday, December 15. The 23-year-old became the youngest driver in the history of harness racing to reach the 2,000 win plateau, which he achieved this past April.
“I am definitely planning to come out there starting this week and stay clear through December,” explained Smith, who also is the youngest driver to reach 1,000 career wins. “I want to see how things are going and then decide if I will stay into January and beyond.”
Smith has previously raced at the Meadowlands on a handful of occasions. He made his Meadowlands Pace debut and Breeders Crown debut in 2014 with the Joe Seekman-trained Lets Drink On It. He had a night to remember at the Big M on June 28, 2014 when he won five races on one card. Overall, he has won eight races in 55 drives at the Meadowlands.
Smith will be one of several young up-and-coming drivers who will have greater opportunities this winter at the Meadowlands. He is scheduled to drive in 10 of Thursday’s 11 races for professionals.
There will be no shortage of hungry newcomers hoping to pick up valuable mounts. Meadowlands regulars Joe Bongiorno, Jim Marohn Jr., and Vinny Ginsburg figure to slug it out with veterans John Campbell, Andy Miller, and Corey Callahan for leading driver honours during the winter months, where deep, competitive fields figure to be the norm.
The Meadowlands will race the remaining Thursdays in December with the regular 7:15 p.m. post time. Thursdays will also be added to the regular Friday and Saturday schedule beginning January 26 and continuing through March 9.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)