This Friday and Saturday will signal the start of a five-weekend stretch at the Meadowlands Racetrack during which many of the stars of the sport will be competing at the mile oval, as the Meadowlands Pace will kick things off before the stakes-frenzy concludes on Hambletonian Day.
After a 14-race Friday card (post time, 7:15 p.m.) that will feature many two-year-olds, the Saturday program (special post time, 6:35 p.m.) will feature a pair of eliminations – for the first time since 2015 – for the $701,830 Meadowlands Pace for three-year-olds.
The first elim (Race 6) will include Nutcracker Sweet, who just missed winning the Hempt by a head; Stay Hungry, who was fourth in both the North America Cup and the Hempt; and Thinkbig Dreambig, who was interfered with in his first career start earlier this season before reeling off four straight victories.
The second elim (Race 8) looks a bit stronger than the first, and will feature American History, who last week paced the sport’s fastest mile of the year when he won in 1:47 at the ‘Big M.’ In addition, two talented colts have supplemented to the ‘Pace’ for $61,690, and each has a big shot at winning the whole thing.
First up is Courtly Choice, who is off of a blowout 12 and a half-length win in the Hempt consolation in 1:48.4. Next is Jimmy Freight, who lost his seasonal debut by a nose. His only other loss this year in seven starts came at the hands of older standouts Sintra and McWicked in a 1:48 mile.
A pair of Graduate Finals for four-year-olds will also be on the Saturday card, and each will carry a purse of $250,000.
In the fifth race for trotters, Ariana G will look to get back on track after having lost two in a row for the first time in her career. She’ll face Dunbar Hall and Moonshiner Hanover, each of whom was victorious in their respective most recent Graduate preliminaries.
Miso Fast, who won preliminary legs at Woodbine Mohawk Park and Tioga Downs last month, will be one of the favourites in Race 10. Early-season sensation Filibuster Hanover won a Graduate prelim at Tioga three starts back before a second and a fifth, respectively, in the Ben Franklin, which were his first two losses of the season.
SUPER HIGH CARRYOVER: On Friday night, bettors will have a good reason to wait around for the 14th and final race. The carryover for the Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five stands at $272,052.
Speaking of the ‘JSH5,’ in the event the jackpot is not hit this weekend, there will be a mandatory payout of the carryover and any new money wagered on Friday, July 13.
WIENER TAKE ALL: Saturday is Fan Appreciation Night, as the Big M will host its first annual Wiener Dog Races. For those who own a dachshund and want to enter, head to http://playmeadowlands.com/uploadedFiles/wiener_racing_sign-up_sheet.pdf.
At the conclusion of the races, stay for a fantastic fireworks display. They’ll be beer and food specials all night long.
Remember, there is a special early post time of 6:35 p.m. this Saturday.
(With files from the Meadowlands Racetrack)