A fun night was had by all who attended the casino-themed fundraiser held on Hambletonian eve at the Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The harness racing community once again showed its robust support for two of the sport’s most important charities – the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame and the Standardbred Retirement Foundation (SRF).
Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment was the presenting sponsor of the Aug. 4 event where 75 people played blackjack, roulette and craps, and 35 competed in the poker tournament. Players who endured the horrendous traffic caused by the Metallica concert at MetLife Stadium on the Friday night were rewarded with an enjoyable evening.
The poker tournament champion will enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas sponsored by Roberts Communications and the Meadowlands. The silent auction included New York Yankees tickets, Bahamas vacations, framed harness racing artwork and a toy horse barn. Auction items were donated by Northwood Bloodstock & Bluestone Farms, Tom Charters, Maureen Kuchar and Callie Davies-Gooch. Raffle prizes included an Apple iPad, Nespresso Espresso machine, Ring doorbell, electronics, jewelry and autographed Yankees baseballs. Raffle prizes were donated by Burke Racing Stable, Bow River Jewelry, Brian Cashman, Callie Davies-Gooch, Suzanne D’Ambrose, Ellen Harvey and the United States Trotting Association.
A buffet dinner and open bar were provided throughout the evening to go with a great night of racing and gaming. Odds On Racing sponsored the High Roller Dinner, Arden Homestead Stable sponsored the open bar and Hempt Farms underwrote the raffle prizes. The entire event was generously supported and sponsored by The Hambletonian Society.
The important work of both charities was supported by Brett Bittle, Ron Burke, Cameo Hills Farm, Marc Goldberg, Hogan Equine Clinic, Dave & Mary Ellen McDuffee, Andy & Julie Miller, Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey, Howard Taylor, Backstretch Community Assistance Program, NJTHA, Millstone Veterinary Associates and Joe Holloway. Their generosity helped to ensure that proceeds from participants’ casino fees went directly to support the work of the Museum and the SRF.
The money raised will be shared equally by the two charities. The Museum is planning new exhibits including the 100th Anniversary of the Hambletonian as well as continuing to do art conservation projects, and the SRF is caring for more than 400 horses. The money that was raised on Aug. 4 will be an important first step in achieving goals for both groups.
Charitable events have been part of Hambletonian festivities since 1991 and have raised a total of $1.46 million.
(With files from Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame)