Racing from the Meadowlands will return on Friday, January 6 with a 13-race card that offers full fields, guaranteed wagers and interesting matchups.
Punters won't have to wait long to see night's feature, as the $18,000 top trotting class will open the card. It's a well balanced field of seven starters, four of which are coming into the race off of wins in their most recent start. Both Crosbys Clam Bake and Opulent Yankee won last week in virtually identical times, while Canadian Wildcat took a week off after an easy, forwardly-placed score on the class drop a fortnight past.
The enigmatic Muscle Diamond will be back, four weeks after his successful return to racing, which came after having lost virtually his entire four-year-old season due to injury. A contender for major stakes honours at age two and three, Muscle Diamond has earned $620,000 in only 23 career starts and has posted seven wins and 17 top-three finishes.
Muscle Diamond was beautifully prepped by crafty veteran trainer Brett Bittle for his return to racing last month. The comeback score was a career best 1:53 win against a solid field. He notched the victory after having only raced in a single qualifier following a 12-month absence. Hall of Fame driver John Campbell has been the pilot for the five-year-old son of Muscle Hill since Day 1 and will be aboard on Friday for owners Keller III, Keller IV, Bittle & Bittle.
On the promotional front, cash prizes totaling $2017 will be disbursed to lucky contestants and delightful dining options abound for the hungry horseplayer. Free program pages are available for the $50,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4 courtesy of The Meadowlands and Trackmaster.
Horseplayers should be advised that the first World Harness Handicapping Contest qualifier is next Saturday, January 14 at the Meadowlands. Sign ups remain open to walk ups.
The Tattersalls January Select Mixed Sale will take place on Monday, January 16 and will begin promptly at 11 a.m. The catalogue is teeming with solid prospects and established earners that would look good in a trainer’s barn heading into the new season.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)