The Meadowlands Racetrack will kick off another weekend of live racing with 14 races starting at 6:35 p.m. this Friday night (February 26).
With the Friday program, the Meadowlands hopes to continue its current streak of seven straight cards with all-sources handle of over $3 million.
The racing highlights for the program are the weekly $25,000 Open Handicap trot (Race 2) and a very contentious group of ten pacing mares that are set to tussle in Race 8, which is a conditioned event for $15,000.
Gweneeee J has matured into the favourite’s role for Race 8 off her impressive uncovered win in the class on February 12, when she held off the formidable late bid of the talented Gallie Bythe Beach in deep stretch at odds of 11-1. Driver Scott Zeron and Gweneeee J made an immediate connection with a ‘from the clouds’ second in their first pairing on February 5. Zeron had been aboard for the win and will be back in the sulky on Friday for trainer Linda Toscano. The American Ideal four-year-old has certainly rounded into form over the winter meet, as she has already posted three wins in 2016 for owner Ken Jacobs’ nom de course, the KJ Stable, LLC.
The competition is led by Clear View Hanover, reunited with the Meadowlands’ leading driver, Tim Tetrick, who chauffeured her to consecutive wins earlier this season. Clear View Hanover missed virtually all of the 2015 campaign, but trainer Henrik Lundell has brought her back in sensational form for owners Joie De Vie Farms and Guidetti Racing, both of New Jersey.
All horizontal pool guarantees are in place for the weekend and the last race Jackpot Hi 5 carryover stands at $106,314 as the weekend begins.
Friday’s promotion is ‘Tote Machine Payout,’ where vouchers for cash and prizes are randomly distributed to those customers using the ‘self-serve’ terminals. Another World Harness Handicapping Contest qualifier with the play confined to ten Meadowlands races is scheduled for Saturday night. Finally, sign-ups for Round Three of the popular ‘Own A Horse’ contest will end on Saturday night, so make your way over to the customer service desk and get in the game.
(With files from the Meadowlands)