Hambo Day handle tops $7 million

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – For the sixth time in the last seven years, all-source handle on the Hambletonian Day harness racing program at The Meadowlands topped $7 million, with the 2020 COVID-19 card the only one to fail to reach that plateau.

Despite several downpours during the course of the day, a total of $7,427,223 — an industry 2024 best — was wagered on the blockbuster 16-race program Saturday at The Big M, good for an average per race of $464,201.

“To wager over $7 million again on the biggest and best harness card of the year in North America is something we are proud of,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “And that total takes into account only wagers made in North America. When the totals from Finland, France, Denmark, Norway and Sweden are added to our North American total, our grand total will be well in excess of $8 million.”

Business was predictably brisk on the Hambletonian itself, as $1,115,982 was pushed through the windows on the 99^th edition of “America’s Trotting Classic”, the third year in a row where betting busted the million-dollar barrier.

Dave Miller and Nancy Takter walked away as the top dash-winning driver and trainer, respectively, at the Winter-Spring-Championship Meet, which spanned Jan. 5-Hambo Day, a total of 61 race cards.

Hall of Famer Miller, 59, claimed his first-ever outright top-driver crown. In 2003, “Purple Jesus” ended up tied atop the standings with Luc Ouellette.

Miller finished with 86 victories, 14 more than runner-up Andy McCarthy.

Takter, 43, whose barn is normally associated more with quality than with quantity, walked away with the dash-win crown despite registering only 93 starts entering the weekend. Her students won 36 times as she claimed her first Big M crown. Per Engblom was runner-up with 31 tallies.

THREE WEEKS OFF: The Meadowlands will now go dark for three weeks before returning for its yearly “Mini Meet,” when live racing will be conducted Aug. 30 and 31 and Sept. 6 and 7 at the normal 6:20 p.m. post time.

by Dave Little, for the Meadowlands