Meadowlands Racetrack's Championship Meet continues this weekend with the $158,000 USD Arthur J. Cutler Memorial for older trotters highlighting the action on Saturday, May 17.
Periculum is the 7-2 morning line favourite in the overflowing field of 11 trotters set to face off in the Cutler, which goes to post as the 10th race on Saturday's 6:20 p.m. card. Making his season's debut from post five in the Grade 3 stakes event, last year's Maple Leaf Trot champion jogged in his lone 1:53.1 qualifier two weeks ago at The Big M. Regular reinsman Scott Zeron will drive the six-year-old son of Muscle Hill, one of two Marcus Melander trainees in the race. Dexter Dunn will handle the other season-debuting millionaire Melander trainee, Oh Well, from the outside post. The complete field is listed below.
$158,000 USD Arthur J. Cutler Memorial Trot
Post - Horse - Driver - Trainer - Morning Line Odds
1. Scottish - Todd McCarthy - John Wengerd - 20-1
2. Lexus Kody - Andrew McCarthy - Ron Burke - 10-1
3. Ari Ferrari J - Brett Beckwith - Tony Alagna - 12-1
4. Antognoni S - Yannick Gingras - Ron Burke - 4-1
5. Periculum - Scott Zeron - Marcus Melander - 7-2
6. Hasty Bid - Mark MacDonald - Nancy Takter - 12-1
7. Benjamin Hanover - Tim Tetrick - Scott DiDomenico - 6-1
8. Sir Pinocchio - Jason Bartlett - Edward Hart - 12-1
9. Chapercraz - David Miller - Ron Burke - 5-1
10. Oh Well – Dexter Dunn - Marcus Melander - 6-1
11.] Get A Wish Dk - Ake Svanstedt - Ake Svanstedt - 8-1
AE1. Up Your Deo - Ake Svanstedt - Ake Svanstedt
AE2. Aetos Kronos S - Dexter Dunn - Marcus Melander
On Saturday, The Meadowlands has combined two fan-favourite food truck events — the BBQ Extravaganza and the Best Burger Battle — into one outrageous event: the Battle of the Meats. This pay-as-you-go event takes place from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fans can also vote for their favourite food truck, enter to win a spot at the judges' table, and those who are 21 years old and up can enjoy the Shanky’s Whip Pineapple Trotter cocktail at the Backyard Bar.
Meadowlands will offer the Preakness simulcast on Saturday for those looking to get in some Thoroughbred racing action.
The track’s monthly handicapping contest continues on Friday. There is no entry fee (a $100 USD live money bankroll is required) for players, and the prize pool, guaranteed at $1,000 USD and funded by the track, will be paid out to the top four finishers.
(Meadowlands Racetrack & Standardbred Canada; photo of Periculum winning the 2024 Maple Leaf Trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park)