The 45th edition of the signature event at harness racing’s top venue is upon us as the $700,000 (est.) Meadowlands Pace, an open event for three-year-olds, gets underway this Saturday (July 10) with a pair of $50,000 eliminations.
The Pace Final, which is slated for July 17, serves as the centrepiece for “The Greatest Night in Harness Racing.” With COVID-19 protocols now in the rearview mirror (although unvaccinated patrons must wear a mask), fans will undoubtedly pack the house, but for those who cannot make it out to the track, there will be a live two-hour telecast on Fox Sports 2, that not only will feature The Pace, but three other major stakes as well.
The Big M’s TV team of Dave Brower and Dave Little will be at the desk spearheading the broadcast with Jessica Otten handling back paddock and training centre interviews with some of the primary contenders. The voice of The Meadowlands, track announcer Ken Warkentin, will call his fifth Pace, while Gabe Prewitt, veteran race caller at Pompano Park and Lexington’s Red Mile and director of racing at Caesars Entertainment, will join the team and handle winner’s circle interviews.
“All of us at The Meadowlands are excited to team up with the New York Racing Association’s TV division, so that we can bring The Meadowlands Pace to an audience who might not otherwise see the race,” said track chief operating officer and general manager Jason Settlemoir. “We are very fortunate to be able to televise live harness stakes events and hope the future sees more of these races being made available to a country-wide audience.”
Post time on Meadowlands Pace Night will be earlier than usual as the first race will get underway at 6 p.m. The live presentation of The Meadowlands Pace kicks off on Fox Sports 2 at 8 p.m.
HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR STAKES? Also on the menu on Meadowlands Pace Final Night will be the $200,000* Mistletoe Shalee, $285,000* Stanley Dancer, $250,000* Del Miller, $450,000* William Haughton Memorial, $175,000* Dorothy Haughton, $400,000* Hambletonian Maturity and $40,000* Miss Versatility. (* – estimated purse)
MEADOWLANDS PACE ELIMINATIONS DRAW: These are the fields for the two Meadowlands Pace Eliminations that take place Saturday, July 10 at The Meadowlands, with post position, horse (driver, trainer) and morning-line odds. The first five in the official order of finish from each dash will return for the $700,000 (est.) Meadowlands Pace Final, which will be contested on Saturday, July 17.
FIRST ELIMINATION (RACE 6) – PURSE $50,000
1. Chase H Hanover (Brian Sears, Scott Cox), 12-1
2. Charlie May (Brett Miller, Steve Carter), 3-1
3. One Eight Hundred (Tim Tetrick, Nancy Takter), 9-5
4. Heart Of Chewbacca (George Brennan, Ron Burke), 4-1
5. Rockyroad Hanover (Dexter Dunn, Tony Alagna), 5-1
6. Exploit (Todd McCarthy, Tony Alagna), 8-1
7. Hellabalou (Andrew McCarthy, Eddie Dennis), 15-1
SECOND ELIMINATION (RACE 8) – PURSE $50,000
1. American Courage (Matt Kakaley, Travis Alexander), 3-1
2. Abuckabett Hanover (Andrew McCarthy, Tony Alagna), 4-1
3. Lawless Shadow (Mark MacDonald, Ian Moore), 6-1
4. Red Right Hand (Todd McCarthy, Nancy Takter), 15-1
5. Perfect Sting (David Miller, Joe Holloway), 2-1
6. Simon Says Hanover (Scott Zeron, Tony Alagna), 15-1
7. Southwind Gendry (Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke), 7-2
DON’T FORGET ABOUT THIS WEEK: In addition to the two Pace Eliminations on Saturday night, a pair of $250,000 Graduate Series (for four-year-olds) Finals will also be on the card.
In the Graduate Trot, It’s Academic will look to stay perfect in four series outings while Ruthless Hanover, who has three wins in four series tries, tops a star-studded Graduate Pace which includes Allywag Hanover, Captain Barbossa, Warrawee Vital and Cattlewash.
GET YA FREE PROGRAMS HERE! Free programs for every race of every Meadowlands card are available to the public, and all one has to do to access them is go to playmeadowlands.com.
FIND US ON TWITTER: You can always check in with the team at The Meadowlands on Twitter.
For early changes, racing information and staff selections, go to @themeadowlands or #playbigm.
On race nights, stay in touch with the Big M’s Dave Brower (@eedoogie), Dave Little (@DaveLittleBigM), Ken Warkentin (@kenvoiceover) and Jessica Otten (@JessicaOtten1).
LOW TAKEOUT, BIG PAYOUTS: Here are the six popular Meadowlands’ wagers that offer a low 15 percent takeout on a nightly basis:
• Race 1: 20-cent Pick-5
• Race 3: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7
• Race 6: 50-cent Pick-4
• Race 8: 20-cent Pick-6
• Race 10: 50-cent Pick-4
• Race 13: 10-cent Hi-5/Pentafecta
A $100,000 PROMISE: The best bet in all of harness racing, The Big M’s 50-cent Pick-4, offers a $50,000 guaranteed pool both times the wager is offered nightly. The Early P4 gets underway in the sixth race, while the Late P4 kicks off in the 10th.
DOUBLE YOUR FUN ON PACE NIGHT: On Meadowlands Pace Final Night (July 17), the Pick-4 guarantees will add up to double what is normally offered and total $200,000.
That night, the Early Pick-4 will sport a $125,000 guarantee while the Late P4 has a $75,000 promise.
WHO DOES BROWER LIKE? For those who like to get a leg up on the action, go to playmeadowlands.com to see track oddsmaker Brower’s selections and analysis. Click on the “handicapping” tab and go to “race reviews.”
Brower’s input is generally available 48 hours before every card.
HUNGRY FOR BARBECUE? Then you are in luck! Head to The Meadowlands on Saturday, July 10 when some of the best food trucks and restaurants in the area will be offering an outstanding barbecue feast.
Food will be available from 5-11 p.m.
PLAY AT “THE BOOK”: The Phoenix Suns will look to take a 2-0 series lead over the Milwaukee Bucks Thursday (July 8) night in the NBA Finals, and basketball fans can watch and wager on the action at one of the leading sportsbooks in the country, the FanDuel Sportsbook at The Meadowlands.
The Suns are a 5-point favourite (-105) who are -205 on the money line. For those who like prop betting, the Suns’ Devin Booker (+155) is the favourite to be the high scorer in the game while the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo is the second choice (+240).
The sportsbook is open Sunday-Friday from 10 a.m.-midnight and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 a.m. The cash counter is open from 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
(Meadowlands)