Qualifiers give a look into the future

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – With spring having officially sprung early this (March 20) morning, it’s now the time of year for some of the better horses to come out of their cold-weather hibernation and start to prepare for the 2025 harness racing season.

Followers of The Meadowlands know this is true, and those same followers know that qualifiers at the mile oval sometimes have more marquee performers than the pari-mutuel card that takes place later the same evening.

There will be seven qualifiers at The Big M on Saturday (March 22) afternoon, and there are several big names who will be knocking off their cobwebs in preparation for the upcoming year.

The qualifiers begin at 4 p.m., and can be seen live on The Meadowlands website (playmeadowlands.com) or rtn.tv (Racing Television Network). To see the entries, go here.

The biggest name qualifying is Grace Hill. The 7-year-old daughter of Always B Miki-Western Silk, who won the 2023 Dan Patch Older Pacing Female of the Year trophy, has won 37 of 82 lifetime starts, good for a bankroll of $1,933,458. She’s in the sixth qualifier and will depart from post two with Jason Bartlett listed to drive.

Grace Hill had a solid 2024, winning eight of 21 outings and banking over $191,000. In addition, she was the only female to defeat Twin B Joe Fresh during that one’s Horse of the Year campaign.

“She came out of last week’s qualifier very well,” said trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. “I entered her to race at The Meadowlands this weekend but her race didn’t fill, so we are qualifying again.

“Her target first race of the year is the Matchmaker at Yonkers on March 28. She’s definitely right on schedule. She has a long year of stakes, so we will pick our spots. [Owner] Tom Hill is really good about letting me manage her as to when to race, when to give her weeks off, etc.”

Last year, Grace Hill raced at The Meadowlands in the FanDuel Open Mares, Breeders Crown, Lady Liberty and Dorothy Haughton Memorial, so seeing her perform at the East Rutherford track this year several times seems highly likely.

Facing Grace Hill is Lit De Rose, who has post four for Pat Lachance. A year ago, the 10-year-old daughter of Leader Bayama-Intense won eight of 29 outings, good for earnings of $349,460. Her big 2024 win came at Yonkers on April 22 in the $276,200 Blue Chip Matchmaker Final.

Walkin On Sunshine, a winner of three straight $35,000 Invitationals for fillies and mares at Yonkers, will be making her first Meadowlands appearance of the year for trainer Brett Pelling from post six.

The Pelling-trained Rocket Deo (post two) tops the fourth qualifier. Among her 10 wins from 17 starts during 2024 was the Shady Daisy at The Big M. In addition, the 4-year-old daughter of Captaintreacherous-Rocklamation recorded her lifetime-best clocking of 1:48.3 in the Glen Garnsey at The Red Mile.

MAD MAX IS BACK: The current best horse in training at The Big M is Mad Max Hanover, and on Saturday (March 22) night, the Jake Leamon trainee will be gunning for his fifth straight win in the 10^th-race feature, a $25,000 winners-over pace.

The 6-year-old gelded son of Always B Miki-Mayhem Seelster, who is North America’s fastest performer this year by virtue of a 1:48.2 clocking on Feb. 22, will depart from post nine with driver Brett Beckwith calling the shots. In his last two starts, ‘Max’ took down arch-rival For Once Inmy Life. He doesn’t face that foe this time around, but will not have an easy time of it. Write Me A Rose looked good winning from post nine a week ago in 1:51 and will try to repeat from post five.

A LOT OF LITTLE: Big M TV veteran Dave Little had a big last weekend (March 14-15), selecting eight winners on the Friday card before a pair of nice scores on Saturday.

Friday’s eight-pack included Jaydens Pride ($8.60) in the third race; value play Go Long ($5) in the sixth; and best bet I’ll Hunt You Down ($3.40) in the seventh.

On Saturday, Little didn’t bring quantity, but did provide quality. In the eighth race, Little’s value play, Warrawee Yankee, scored at odds of 8-1, paying $19.60 to win.

That winner covered the third leg of Little’s Early 50-cent Pick-4 ticket, which came in and returned $184.15.

FREE PPs: To show appreciation to its loyal fan base, The Meadowlands offers free program pages for every race of every race card on its website.

Go to playmeadowlands.com, then click on the “news” dropdown to get the past performances at absolutely no cost.

THE SCHEDULE: During the month of March, live racing at The Big M will be conducted every Friday and Saturday with a first-race post-time of 6:20 p.m.

CATCH THE SHOW: Check out the live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pregame show at 5:45 p.m. every Friday and Saturday when track announcer Ken Warkentin opens up the mic with a scene set and program changes.

In addition to Warkentin, the core group of personalities will be on hand, as Jessica Otten and Dave Little will be on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set, from where the duo will provide news, notes, selections and a look at the night’s featured races.

Joe Romanelli will handle interviews from the back paddock as well as providing commentary and selections on the FanDuel Television (FDTV) feed.

THE BILL OF FARE: Every night, The Meadowlands offers a marvelous menu of popular wagers that offer a low 15 percent takeout.

They are:

• 20-cent Pick-5: Race 1-5
• 20-cent Survivor Pick-7: Races 3-9 (mandatory payout nightly)
• 50-cent Pick-4: Races 6-9 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
• 20-cent Pick-6: Races 8-13
• 50-cent Pick 4: Races 10-13 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
• 10-cent non-jackpot Pentafecta (Hi-5): Race 14

TIME TO GET SOCIAL: Everything Meadowlands is available by going on X. You can check in with the Big M team for early changes, racing information and staff selections by going to @themeadowlands or #playbigm.

Stay in touch with The Big M team of Otten (@JessicaOtten1), Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).

LOEBS HAS GRAND NIGHT: Sean Loebs was the winner of the third installment of the 2025 Meadowlands Monthly Handicapping contest, which was held on Friday (March 14). Loebs won the competition, which offered $1,000 in prize money, by finishing the night with a bankroll of $640.80. Loebs walked away with the first prize of $500.

Finishing second with $624.60 was Joe Barre, who cashed in for $250.

Loebs and Barre have now qualified for the $10,000 competition that takes place in December.

Dan Gieck finished third with $597.45 to earn $150 while fourth-place finisher Michael Grib cashed in for $100 after finishing with a bankroll of $489.80.

The fourth edition of the 2025 Meadowlands Monthly Handicapping contest takes place on Saturday (April 19). The event, which takes place once a month, goes for prize money totaling $1,000.

For those interested in taking part, these are the details:

• There is a $1,000 prize pool and the top two finishers earn entry into a December invitation-only tournament that will go for $10,000 in prize money.
• Contestants must be on-site to participate.
• For complete information, and to enter, go here.

HOOPS HEAVEN: Look out for bracket-busting action during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

There’s no need to stay at home. Come to The Meadowlands and watch all of the action as you bet on the games in the FanDuel Sportsbook.

Check out the full schedule below:

• First round: March 20-21
• Second round: March 22-23
• Sweet 16: March 27-28
• Elite Eight: March 29-30
• Final Four: April 5
• NCAA championship game: April 7

For more information, and to purchase tickets for reserved seating for a great spot to watch the games, go here.

COME FOR A NIGHT AT THE FIGHTS: Come out to the track for live harness racing and also catch UFC 314 later in the night on Saturday, April 12.

There are a pair of bouts in the spotlight that will be shown in The Gallery.

Alexander Volkanovski, who has a record of 26-4-0, will take on Diego Lopes, 26-6-0, in a matchup of featherweights before Michael Chandler, 23-9-0, faces Paddy Pimblett, 22-3-0, in a battle of lightweights.

The main portion of the card gets underway at 10 p.m.

The Gallery is a game-day ready destination for live sports, celebrity meet and greets and more. This private room features walls of TVs plus a central 220″ jumbo screen, as well as its own bar and self-service betting machines.

HAVE A GREAT STEAK: On Saturday, April 19, there will be an exquisite steak dinner offered in the Skyboxes at The Meadowlands.

The cost of just $100 per person includes a racing program and a $10 betting voucher.

Make your reservations early for what is certain to be a fantastic four-course meal.

To take a look at the menu, and to make reservations, go here.

PARTY ON: Looking to book a corporate event or private party?  The Meadowlands has unlimited event possibilities. The redesigned Gallery with multiple TVs, private bar and balcony overlooking the FanDuel Sportsbook is perfect for game days, watch parties and more.

To book your private party, email alokshin@playmeadowlands.com.

BET THE JOHNNIES IN FANDUEL: Meadowlands regulars know that if they want action on professional and college sports, all they have to do is head for the FanDuel Sportsbook, which is the No. 1 facility of its kind in all of North America.

It couldn’t be easier to access, as it’s located inside the grandstand at The Big M.

The book has massive TV screens and self-service betting terminals, so watch and wager in comfort while having some great food and drink.

The marquee game for local fans on Thursday (March 20) has the St. John’s Red Storm taking on the Omaha Mavericks in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in a 9:45 p.m. tip-off.

St. John’s, the No. 2-seeded team in the West Region, is an 18½-point favorite who are -3500 on the money line. The under/over is 148½ points.

Earlier in the day, the overall No. 1-ranked team in the tournament, the Auburn Tigers, are a 31½-point favorite over the Alabama State Hornets in a 2:50 p.m. start. The under/over is 148½ points.

Whatever the sport, for the latest odds, go here.

The FanDuel Sportsbook is open for business Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. – 1 a.m.; and Sunday 8 a.m. – midnight.

by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands