Thursday night's twin features at the Meadowlands Racetrack will be the finals of the short ‘Racing for G-Notes’ overnight series for trotters and pacers (Race 7 and Race 8).
Both dashes will be part of the live TV broadcast on the SNY television network.
The trotters will be up first and will battle for the lion’s share of a $15,000 purse. Trainer Patti Harmon holds a very strong hand for the tilt, as she will put forth a powerful pair of six-year-old geldings that have been coupled as a pari-mutuel entry.
Montalbano Bi has experienced a bit of a career renaissance since having been paired with young driver Drew Monti. The duo won both preliminary legs of the series in the 1:55 range, and Montalblano Bi flirted with his career mark taken at age three. He's drawn Post 5 in the final for owner Joel Kahan.
The other half of the Harmon entry is Detroit Rapper, a ‘long-timer’ in the barn, owned by the Harmon family. Detroit Rapper has been on the board in all three of his 2017 starts, but, clearly, last week was his best effort of the season. He came from well back for driver Jimmy Marohn Jr. to be second. He closed with a :28.2 final quarter during his 1:55.4 mile.
The pacers will battle over a $12,500 purse in their final, and the only preliminary leg winner in the field is Mr Big Load. Trainer/driver Billy Mann has had the six-year-old gelding razor sharp throughout the series with a dominating 1:52.1 win last week. If Mr Big Load can hold his form for one more week, he could very well bring home the top prize to owners Friendship Stables.
First-race post time for the Thursday card is 7:15 p.m.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)