The spectacle of camels and ostriches racing down the stretch produced the year’s highest live attendance at the Meadowlands Racetrack on Friday, June 15.
A crowd of 5,068 turned out to watch the exotic animals compete in non-wagering events held between the live harness races. The festivities also included belly dancing, hookahs and a charity race for local sportscasters. Meadowlands General Manager Michael Newlin and Tiffany Takter, the daughter of soon-to-be Hall of Fame trainer Jimmy Takter, finished noses apart in the camel race.
Meadowlands oddsmaker and TVG commentator Darin Zoccali won the first round of the Broadcasters Charity Race, a special exhibition event held between the second and third races. Zoccali earned $5,000 for his charity of choice, the James Cancer Fund. The rest of the participating broadcasters earned $1,000 for their charities. They were: Steve Overmyer, sportscaster for CBS 2 (Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation); Jared Max, ESPN-NY 98.7 FM host (Tyler Clementi Foundation); Tina Cervasio, MSG/NY Knicks sideline reporter (Garden Of Dreams Foundation) and Anita Marks/MSG/NY Giants.com & WFAN Host (Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation).
Driver Brian Sears bagged seven wins on the June 15 harness card, marking the third time the White Knight has accomplished the feat at the Meadowlands. His previous seven-winner nights were February 16, 2009 and June 14, 2009. Sears’ septet of winners were Sterling Volo (race 1; $3.60); New York Muscle (race 2; $2.60); Boinga (race 4, $4.60); Billie Blue Chip (race 7; $6.00); One In A Million (race 8; $5.20); Kissmat (race 9; $4.20); and Pacin Yankee (race 12; $22.00).
(Meadowlands Racetrack)