The Meadowlands, in conjunction with the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey, has announced more than $2 million in new stakes opportunities for New Jersey-sired two and three-year-olds in 2022.
The "New Jersey Classics" will offer colt and filly divisions for all races and be raced in an elimination and final format for two and three-year-old trotters and two-year-old pacers with an "A" and "B" division offered for all.
Tentatively scheduled for September 2022, the trots will both have a final purse estimated at $300,000 for the A division and $100,000 for the B division while the two-year-old pacers will go for $150,000 in the A and $75,000 in the B. Nominating and sustaining payments will be required and are being estimated.
The source of funding of the added money for these stakes is from the additional revenue generated from sports betting at FanDuel at The Meadowlands in 2021 that is allocated for purses in 2022.
“We believe that with the New Jersey Sires Stakes racing for purses increased by 20 per cent next year, including these new races will allow trainers to race for large purses over fewer races in a shorter span of time in New Jersey and not have to endure the time and expense of travelling,” said Meadowlands President Jeff Gural. “The truth is there are so many races for good money now starting in July that the toll is becoming too great on the two-year-olds for them to last until October and November for Red Mile Grand Circuit, Breeders Crown and the Fall Final Four."
More details on these new stakes will become available soon.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)