The second annual Millennial Night at the Meadowlands, held this past Saturday, June 24, by all accounts can be deemed a success.
A total of ten $1,000 scholarships were awarded as well as a total of $5,000 in prize money in the form of a free handicapping contest was distributed. The $15,000 was sponsored in full by Jeff and Paula Gural’s Allerage Farms.
Hundreds of millennials -- ages 30 and under -- came out on a perfect early summer night to enjoy the horse racing and party atmosphere at the track, especially on the rooftop terrace.
A total of 49 people entered the free-to-play handicapping contest. Contestants were tasked with picking one horse in 10 designated races and amassing a mythical bankroll of winnings based on their selection’s finish in each race. The rooftop terrace served as contest headquarters where players were also treated to a free barbeque and a DJ.
At the end of the night, Dominique Carnevale of Watertown, N.J. was the winner of the $2,500 first place prize. Meggan Carver of Hazlet, N.J. took home the $1,500 second prize and Justin Pickens of Landing, N.J. won $1,000.
The 10 scholarship winners were Kelsie Quintana from Weehawken, N.J., Alexander Glasser from East Windsor, N.J., Jean-Luc Hourcade from Little Ferry, N.J., Aaron Dudek from Garfield, N.J., Joao Borges from Elizabeth, N.J., Eric Rivlin from Glen Rock, N.J., Steven Rivlin from Glen Rock, N.J., Lauren Perone from New Canaan, Conn., Shauna Voza from Lyndhurst, N.J., and Ryan Weist from Rutherford, N.J.
“We always talk about how important it is for our industry to reach out to the next generation of harness racing fans and participants to introduce them to our great game,” said Meadowlands GM/COO Jason Settlemoir. “This is an event that is getting bigger each year and encourages the millennial crowd to get their friends together and experience the Meadowlands Racetrack and maybe even go home with some money that can help them with their education -– a true win-win event.”
(with files from The Meadowlands)