The Meadowlands, in association with the New York Racing Association (NYRA), is pleased to announce that the 2021 Meadowlands Pace will be broadcast live as a part of the popular America’s Day at the Races series on Fox Sports 2 from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (EDT) on Saturday, July 17.
The Meadowlands Pace became an instant classic when Escort won the inaugural for a purse of $425,000, the largest ever offered at the time. The roster of past champions includes the legendary Niatross (1980) and his greatest son Nihilator (1984), the iron tough Captaintreacherous (2013) and Tall Dark Stranger's thrilling rally back to victory after being headed just last year.
The purse for this, the 45th edition of the Meadowlands Pace, will be $700,000. 'Pace' night will offer more than $2.5 million in total purses as one of harness racing's most anticipated cards.
Supporting stakes included on the broadcast will be the $400,000 Hambletonian Maturity, a showcase for the winners of last year's trotting classics, along with the $500,000 William R. Haughton FFA Pace and $200,000 Dorothy Haughton FFA Mare Pace, memorializing harness racing royalty with the finest Grand Circuit older pacers.
"I'm excited to have this opportunity to have our best night of racing exposed to a new audience," said Meadowlands President Jeff Gural. "If we are to remain in business, we need to recruit new fans and new horseplayers. Thanks to this association with NYRA we can get what's good about our sport in front of people who wouldn't otherwise see the great horses and racing we have to offer."
“The Meadowlands Pace is a signature event on the racing calendar and we are pleased that this year’s event will mark the first harness race to be televised to a national audience on FOX Sports as a part of America’s Day at the Races,” said NYRA Chief Revenue Officer Tony Allevato. “Viewers should look froward to a phenomenal night of racing action.”
Visit The Meadowlands website for information.
Further details will be released as Pace night draws closer.
(The Meadowlands)