Meadows Monday Memo

SIX CARDS REMAIN IN 2024 SEASON

Hollywood Casino at The Meadows’ 2024 harness racing season has just six cards remaining, with three taking place this week.  Racing is set for Wednesday through Friday at 12:45pm this week.  Next week will feature an abbreviated holiday schedule, including the track’s first Monday of racing in more than five years.  Action will take place Monday, December 23 and Friday, December 27, with the final card of the season also coming on a Monday, December 30.

CLOSING THE GAP

The top-3 driver list at The Meadows for the season looks similar to last year’s list.  The top three in wins from 2023, Dave Palone, Ronnie Wrenn and Aaron Merriman, all appear to have those spots locked up for 2024.  However, Wrenn trailed Palone by 148 wins last year (411-263), and is only 32 behind this time (367-335). Merriman is currently 28 wins ahead of his 2023 numbers, with 248 wins compared to 220 for all of 2023.

WALTERS DOUBLES WIN TOTAL

21-year-old Justin Walters has gained popularity this season as an up-and-coming catch driver at The Meadows.  After starting his career driving mainly for his father, trainer Steve Walters, Justin eventually earned some catch drives and finished 2023 with 22 wins and earnings of $268,682.  With two weeks remaining in 2024, he has doubled his win total to 44 with earnings over $527,000, and currently ranks 11^th among local drivers in victories.  Last week, he picked up three wins in 17 drives.

If you would like additional information at any point, please reach out to track announcer Jeff Zidek (jeff.zidek@pennentertainment.com).

by Jeff Zidek, for The Meadows