The weather may not have been cooperative, as a heavy rain fell for most of the evening, but that did not stop many of harness racing’s stars from shining last Saturday (Nov. 24) at the Meadowlands.
Horse of the Year voters got to see the top two horses in training take down tough fields in their respective TVG Finals, as McWicked – the presumed favorite in the Horse of the Year race – won the Open Pace in dominant fashion in 1:48. Not to be outdone, Shartin N – who became the first-ever aged pacing female to earn $1 million in a calendar year – splashed through the slop to score easily in the Mares Pace in 1:50.3.
In the TVG Open Trot, Tactical Landing defeated rival three-year-old Six Pack in 1:51.4 in what is presumed to be trainer Jimmy Takter’s last big Meadowlands victory as he heads off into retirement.
Also on the card were the Fall Final Four for two-year-olds and one performer, Captain Crunch, stood out from the others as the Breeders Crown champion took the Governor’s Cup for two-year-old colts and geldings on the pace in 1:50.3.
The great Foiled Again made his final career appearance at the Big M but had to settle for fourth in the ‘Auld Lane Syne’ Pace after going a tough trip. Despite the weather, he hung around in the winner’s circle long enough for his fans to take pictures and have track TV personality Jessica Otten give him a bouquet of carrots, which he had no qualms about snacking on right after his race.
The Meadowlands’ TV dynamic interview duo of Dave Brower and Bob ‘Hollywood’ Heyden braved the elements to get insightful post-race interviews for all eight of the stakes events on the program, while TVG, who dedicated much air time to the Big M card, had Tom Cassidy (who came in from California to be part of the evening) and the Big M’s ‘super-sub’, Rich Mattei, provide extensive commentary on the 13-race card.
The all-source handle was a meet-best $2,764,912, and the track’s signature wager, the 50-Cent Pick-4, saw a meet-high $101,859 in play.
This weekend, live racing takes place on the usual Friday and Saturday (post time, 7:15 p.m.), but the schedule will change slightly beginning Dec. 6, as Thursdays will be added to the slate for the month of December. The date that racegoers need to be aware of is Saturday, Dec. 15, when the track will be dark as the New York Jets will host the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium. Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m.
WIN SOME CASH: On Friday, Nov. 30, Big M fans can grab some green in the Players Club Swipe N Score promotion. Swipe your Players Club card and win a betting voucher worth up to $500. Prizes range from $2 to $500 and vouchers will print after the first swipe, one voucher per person.
In the event you are not a Players Club member and want to get in on the action, contact James Johnston ([email protected]) or any Players Club representative to sign up.
BRING A TOY, MEET QUINCY: On Monday, Dec. 3, the Meadowlands will host a U.S. Marines Toys for Tots holiday toy drive, and football fans who bring a new unwrapped toy for the great cause will get to meet and greet New York Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa.
FOX5 sportscaster Tina Cervasio will serve as master of ceremonies at the event, which takes place from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Enunwa, who currently has 33 catches and a team-high 418 receiving yards, will personally deliver the collected toys to children at Harlem Grown, a charitable organization in Harlem whose mission is to inspire youth to lead healthy and ambitious lives through mentorship and hands-on education in urban farming, sustainability and nutrition.
THE CLYDESDALES ARE COMING: On Friday, Dec. 7, the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will make a stop at the Meadowlands.
Come out for a selfie with the majestic animals – who were originally a gift to August A. Busch Sr. to commemorate the repeal of Prohibition – on the East Apron from 6 p.m.-7:15 p.m. Then grab a Bud or a Bud Lite and watch the Clydesdales parade on the track after the conclusion of the first race.
GET YOUR NFL ACTION: Or for that matter, wager on college football, pro basketball, soccer and hockey at the Big M’s FanDuel Sports Book.
The hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-1 a.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m.-2 a.m. and Sunday, 8 a.m.-1 a.m. Keep in mind that the sports book will close after all live U.S. games have concluded.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)