Spotlight on Meadowlands Pace Saturday

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – A national television audience will be watching harness racing live Saturday (July 15) night when harness racing’s showcase track presents its signature race as Fox Sports 1 (FS1) broadcasts the $668,000 Meadowlands Pace from The Meadowlands. The two-hour show, the result of a partnership between The Big M and the TV team at The New York Racing Association (NYRA), begins at 10 p.m. Post time for The Pace is 10:41 p.m.

There will be seven major stakes contested during the 14-race program that kicks off at 6:20 p.m. Three of those events will be shown live on FS1 during the “America’s Day at The Races” telecast as Big M TV’s Jessica Otten and Gabe Prewitt offer analysis and interviews.

The Fox show, in addition to The Pace, will also present both divisions of the $277,000 Stanley Dancer Memorial for 3-year-old colts and geldings (where 19 of the 20 entrants are Hambletonian eligible) as well as the $444,000 William R. Haughton Memorial, an Open event for pacers, featuring Abuckabett Hanover (7-2 on the morning-line), Ruthless Hanover (3-1), Allywag Hanover (5-1) and Bythemissal (4-1).

Also on the card is the $210,500 Del Miller Memorial (which will be split into two divisions) for 3-year-old trotting fillies with the unbeaten Bond (4-5) the star attraction; the $410,250 E.T. Gerry Jr. Hambletonian Maturity, an Open for 4-year-old trotters featuring the undefeated super mare Jiggy Jog S (1-5); the $169,000 Mistletoe Shalee, where Sylvia Hanover (9-5) will attempt to stay perfect in four seasonal starts in the dash for 3-year-old pacing fillies; and the $159,000 Dorothy Haughton Memorial, an Open for pacing mares where division leader Grace Hill (2-1) will look to get back on the winning track after a second-place finish in the Big M’s Perfect Sting two weeks ago. She’ll go up against 2021 Horse of the Year Test Of Faith (4-1) and Perfect Sting winner Silver Label (5-2).

The seven events – a total of nine races – will distribute purses totaling $2,337,750.

“This is the biggest nighttime race card of the year in the sport, and all of us at The Meadowlands are proud to host such an impactful evening of racing,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “The sport’s greatest stars will be on the program, and we look forward to what we anticipate will be a big night of business.”

A total of $4,733,390 was wagered on the 14-race Pace card a year ago, and Settlemoir is hopeful that business can be even better in 2023. On Friday, March 3, The Big M had its biggest night of the year at the windows when $4,519,050 was put in play.

“The Meadowlands understands that horseplayers are a big reason that we are the most popular nighttime signal in racing, regardless of breed,” said Settlemoir. “On our biggest night, we are offering eight wagers with a low 15 percent takeout, including a $100,000 guaranteed All-Stakes 50-cent Pick-4. Most of these takeouts have been lowered 40 percent, which gives substantially more money back to the players and helps keep them in action. Combine that with low minimums and the highest level of racing anyone can offer, and you can understand why we are anticipating big pools on Pace Night.”

The eight wagers that will offer a 15 percent takeout on Saturday’s card are:

• Race 1: 20-cent Pick-5
• Race 3: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7
• Race 4: 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
• Race 6: 20-cent Pick-6
• Race 7: Early 10-cent Hi-5
• Race 8: All-Stakes 50-cent Pick-4 ($100,000 guaranteed pool)
• Race 11: 50-cent Pick-4 (The Meadowlands Pace)
• Race 11: Late 10-cent Hi-5

In addition, the NYRA and The Big M will combine products for a wager called the “Cross Country Pick-5”. The 50-cent-base bet will comprise the ninth (post time, 5:45 p.m.) and 10^th races at Saratoga with the 10^th, 11^th and 12^th at The Meadowlands.

“The priority, of course, is on the Meadowlands Pace,” said Settlemoir. “The wagering menu reflects that. The Meadowlands Pace on race 11 will be the focal point of the wagering, with the Pace being the final leg of the Pick-3, Pick-4 and Pick-6. The Pace will also be the opening leg of a Pick-4 on the final four races on the card, which includes three stakes. A Hi-5 will also be available on The Meadowlands Pace, so there will be an abundance of wagering options involving the Pace itself.”

MEADOWLANDS PACE FIELD: Here is the field for Saturday night’s Meadowlands Pace, an open event for 3-year-olds at The Meadowlands, with post position, horse, driver (with driver changes), trainer and updated morning-line odds:

1 – Fulton (Heston Blue Chip) – Dexter Dunn – Linda Toscano – 8/1
2 – Voukefalas (Lazarus N) – Jordan Stratton – Michael Russo – 7/2
3 – Christchurch (Always B Miki) – Yannick Gingras – Nancy Takter – 10/1
4 – Cannibal (Sweet Lou) – Andrew McCarthy – Nancy Takter – 6/1
5 – Confederate (Sweet Lou) – Tim Tetrick – Brett Pelling – 6/5
6 – Hungry Angel Boy (Stay Hungry) – Todd McCarthy – Tony Alagna – 20/1
7 – El Rey (Captaintreacherous) – Scott Zeron – Tony Alagna – 9/2
8 – Its A Me Mario (American Ideal) – Lauren Tritton – Shane Tritton – 20/1
9 – Ammo (Sweet Lou) – David Miller – Joe Holloway – 30/1
10 – Save America (Captaintreacherous) – Matt Kakaley – Nancy Takter – 30/1

HORSEPEOPLE’S REMINDER: Horses for the Meadowlands Pace, Hambletonian Maturity, Dorothy Haughton & WR Haughton stakes must report for detention by noon on Saturday, July 15.

DON’T PAY: Free past performances for every race of every Meadowlands card are available by clicking here.

BEST BURGER BATTLE: If you think you have the best burger in town, come out on Meadowlands Pace Night and impress the judges for a chance to win a $1,500 grand prize from a total prize pool of $3,000.

The track’s “Best Burger Battle” takes place from 5-11 p.m. in the Backyard and fans are encouraged to come out and purchase some of the best-tasting burgers in the area.  There is no admission fee. In addition, fans can enter to win a spot at the judging table. There is one entry per person with two fans to be selected to be judges.

HOW ABOUT A GOOD LAUGH? The newly redesigned Gallery will be the site on Friday (July 14) night for “Comedy Night” at The Big M.

There will be two hours of hilarious standup in the show that begins at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m.

To purchase tickets, clicking here.

Meadowlands Pace Night dining:

THE LOUNGE: 

• Center of the action with front-row seats to Victory’s giant screens; two-and four-top tables and bar seats available at $50 per person
• Ticket purchase acts as food and beverage credit for Victory Sports Bar menu
• 2023 Pace Night Dining Tickets – ticketleap.com

THE CAFE:

• Table for four near the Winner’s Circle
• $100 per table – price is a credit towards cafe food and drink purchases
• Purchase your table – ticketleap.com

PINK RESTAURANT:

• Tiered dining room with great views of the live racetrack action
• Buffet features salads, sides, main courses, carving station and delicious desserts
• $49.95 per person plus tax and gratuity
• Call 201-THE-BIGM to make reservations

PREWITT, OTTEN ARE ‘MASTERFUL’: Nights 11 and 12 of the track’s “Battle of The Meadowlands Masterminds” handicapping contest went to Gabe Prewitt and Jessica Otten, respectively.

On Friday (July 7), Prewitt connected on a Pick-4 that created a hit of $1,690, while on Saturday (July 8), the consistent Otten scored with an exacta and a win-place bet to finish the night with $718.00.

The Masterminds competition will take place for the next seven live race nights, and on-track patrons who select the winning handicapper on a given card will have a chance to win a grand prize of $10,000. The drawing takes place on Hambletonian Day, Saturday, Aug. 5.

The competitors are vying for a top prize of $1,000 that will be donated on their behalf to charity. Prewitt is playing for CBH Care, the charity that the late Dave Brower played for last year when he won the competition. Otten is playing for New Vocations, Dave Little for the Standardbred Retirement Foundation, Ken Warkentin the Harness Horse Youth Foundation and Edison Hatter the Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption Program.

HORSEPLAY GIVEAWAY: Would you like to win a car?

Then come to The Meadowlands every live racing night for the “Horseplay Car Giveaway”, where the grand prize is a 2023 Toyota Camry.

Patrons will toss small rubber horses into a moving car along the fence at the track after the replay of race six, and those whose horses make it into the vehicle have a chance to drive it home. The winner will be announced on Friday, Aug. 4.

For every horse that makes it into the Horseplay car, Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment will donate $5 to a designated monthly charity.

The May recipient was Helping Horseshoe, June’s was Spectrum 360 while the July/August donation will go to HOPES. An additional $5 for every horse that makes it into the car will also be donated to the Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption Program by The Meadowlands.

For complete information and giveaway rules, click here.

THE SPA IS SIMULCAST HEAVEN: For Thoroughbred bettors, it just doesn’t get any better than this.

Thursday (July 13) marks Opening Day at Saratoga, which will have a 40-card meeting that concludes Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4. Live racing at The Spa takes place every day except Monday and Tuesday with the lone exception being Closing Day (Labor Day). Post time for the first race is 1:05 p.m.

Don’t want to sit in traffic for three hours driving up the New York Thruway? No problem. Catch all of the Saratoga action inside one of the best simulcast areas anywhere at The Meadowlands, where you can relax in comfort while betting on the Spa’s races, as well as those at every other track in North America.

LESS THAN A MONTH TO GO: Live racing at The Meadowlands will take place every Friday and Saturday for the next four consecutive weeks. Post time is 6:20 p.m., except for the last day of the meeting, Hambletonian Day, Saturday, Aug. 5, when the first race heads to the gate at noon.

The live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pregame show begins every night at 5:45 p.m. On Hambletonian Day, the show kicks off at 11:30 a.m.

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

On race nights, stay in touch with The Big M team of Otten (@JessicaOtten1), Little (@DaveLittleBigM), Warkentin (@kenvoiceover), Hatter (@Edison_1999_) and Prewitt (@gabe_prewitt).

HATTER’S RACE REVIEWS: Race reviews and selections by The Meadowlands’ morning-line odds maker, program analyst and TV talent Hatter are available 48 hours before a given race card. To access this valuable information from one of the brightest young minds in the sport, simply click here, go to the “handicapping” tab, then click “race reviews”.

FANDUEL’S FABULOUS: If you like betting professional sports and would like to get your money down in the No. 1 facility of its type in North America, then head inside the grandstand at The Meadowlands and get your action in the FanDuel Sportsbook.

Live regular-season Major League Baseball action returns Friday (July 14) after the All-Star Break with the New York Mets hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 7:10 p.m. start. The Mets’ $43-million man, Justin Verlander, will be on the hill for the Mets, who are a +108 underdog in the game that has an under/over of 8½ runs.

The FanDuel Sportsbook is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-1 a.m.; and Sunday 8 a.m.-midnight. For cash-at-counter customers, the hours are Monday through Friday 10a.m.-11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.-11 p.m. The Lounge opens at noon on Sundays.

From The Meadowlands