The stars will be out and shining brightly Saturday night (Nov. 20), as The Meadowlands' final circle-worthy date on the harness racing calendar for the year 2021 will feature many of the game’s top performers during a power-packed 14-race card on Fall Final Four/TVG Finals Night.
Post time for the first race is 6:20 p.m.
Plenty will be on the line as U.S. divisional honours and – quite possibly – Horse of the Year could be won or lost as four events for two-year-olds and four others for three-year-olds and older will be contested on the program for horses of each sex and gait. The great eight are:
· Race 4 – $413,600 Valley Victory for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings: Kindergarten winner Fast As The Wind searches for his third straight victory. He missed by just a half-length from post 10 to winner Rebuff in the Breeders Crown on Oct. 29.
· Race 5 – $175,000 TVG Mares Pace: Rocknificent and Lyons Sentinel, the best two older pacing mares in training who finished 1-2 in the Breeders Crown, renew their rivalry.
· Race 6 – $479,450 Goldsmith Maid for two-year-old trotting fillies: Two weeks after going off stride and failing to qualify for the Breeders Crown final, Venerable dominated her foes in the Matron to win for the ninth time this year in 10 tries.
· Race 7 – $175,000 TVG Mares Trot: Bella Bellini, the Hambletonian Oaks and Breeders Crown champion, takes on a big challenge as the three-year-old takes on the likes of older standouts Felicityshagwell S, the Breeders Crown champion, and Atlanta, the co-fastest trotting mare in history (1:49) and $3 million+ earner.
· Race 8 – $386,600 Governor’s Cup for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings: Hammering Hank hit it out of the park in the Kindergarten to up his stats to eight wins from just 10 starts.
· Race 9 – $350,000 TVG Open Trot: A remarkably wide-open event features Beads, who was second after displaying speed a week ago in a conditioned event, taking on Amigo Volo, second a week ago to a fast-closing When Dovescry in another conditioned race.
· Race 10 – $359,450 Three Diamonds for two-year-old pacing fillies: Niki Hill has been nothing short of a superstar all season long, as proved by her record of eight wins from nine starts, which includes victories in the Shes A Great Lady, Breeders Crown and Kindergarten.
· Race 11 – $350,000 TVG Open Pace: Despite failing to win the Breeders Crown and Potomac in his last two, Allywag Hanover is hanging on to the lead in the division by a thread. Looking to overtake him is the horse who nailed him in the Crown, Ocean Rock, who has taken the Dayton Derby, Hoosier Park Pacing Derby and Ewart during his superb 2021 season.
Purses for the eight stakes events total $2,689,100.
“The Meadowlands is proud to present these classic races on a mile track,” said Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “If the Breeders Crown was any indication, the racing fans and horseplayers will likely see some of the greatest performances of the year at The Meadowlands this Saturday night.”
Plenty of The Meadowlands’ popular wagers that sport a low 15 per cent takeout will be available on the Saturday night card. They are:
· Race 1: 20-cent Pick-5
· Race 4: 20-cent TVG All-Stakes Survivor Pick-7
· Race 6: 50-cent Early Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
· Race 8: 20-cent Pick-6
· Race 10: 50-cent Late Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
· Race 14: 10-cent non-jackpot Pentafecta/Hi-5
Fans that book a table at The Meadowlands' Pink Buffet this Saturday will be treated to hand-carved prime rib.
“We continue to listen our guests’ comments and suggestions regarding what they want to eat and drink at our racetrack,” said Settlemoir. “The changes and upgrades we are making will hopefully keep our current customers happy while also bringing in some new faces this fall.”
The Saturday prime rib buffet is $52.95 and also includes an arugula and endive salad with raspberries, BBQ pork tenderloin, rigatoni with grilled chicken, basil and a touch of cream and homemade cookies and chocolate cake for dessert.
The $39.95 Friday buffet features another delicious menu roasted sirloin, salmon with mango salsa, mac and cheese and crispy fried chicken.
Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling (201) THE-BIGM, and the complete menus can be viewed on The Meadowlands' website.
Racing continues at The Meadowlands through the end of the year with the usual Friday-Saturday schedule, with one exception, as there will be no live racing on December 24 or December 25.
(With files from Meadowlands)