Officials with the Meadowlands Racetrack have announced some of the promotions surrounding the return of live Standardbred racing to the East Rutherford, New Jersey oval this coming weekend.
Live Standardbred racing will return to the ‘Mecca of Harness Racing’ on Friday, November 14 and Saturday, November 15. The meet’s opening weekend will feature contests and giveaways to celebrate the return of live harness racing.
On Friday, November 14, elimination races for the $5.4 million Breeders Crown Championships will get underway. First-race post time for the program is 7:15 p.m.
Beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, the first 2,500 people to arrive will receive a scratch card for the chance to win the $100,000 Scratch, Match & Win. Each card will contain six numbers. The winning numbers will be announced through a video after Race 3 and Race 6. If your card matches all six numbers you win $100,000; matches five you win $1,000; matches four you win $500. If none of your numbers match, participants can complete the back of the scratch card for the chance to win a $100 betting voucher.
The Beat the Boss Handicapping Contest will also begin on Friday and continue through the season, as participants test their handicapping skills for the chance to win a $250 voucher. There will be six designated races to choose from each week, only one selection permitted in each race, and each selection receives a $2 win wager. The winner’s name will be posted at the Players Rewards track-level desk the following Saturday at 6 p.m. Later that night, guests can head upstairs to enjoy World Free Poker in The Gallery starting at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, November 15 first-race post time will be at 7:15 p.m. The live program will feature additional eliminations for the Breeders Crown Championships. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the first 1,000 guests will receive a 2014-2015 commemorative calendar filled with images of the sport’s greatest horses and drivers in action from the 2013-2014 Meadowlands racing reason.
For the first time in the 31-year history of the Breeders Crown, the Meadowlands will host all 12 championship races November 21-22.
(With files from the Meadowlands)