The architect of speed at The Meadowlands says goodbye

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – After a half-century of taking care of track surfaces – most notably, the mile oval at The Meadowlands, which is home to the fastest mile in the history of the game – Gary Wolff, who serves as the Big M’s director of racing properties & track, will step down from that position when he retires at the end of the year.

“I’ve been doing this since 1974,” said Wolff.

“I started at Buffalo Raceway and it’s been 50 years. I still love what I do very much, but it’s time to just enjoy my life a little bit. I spend all of my time at the racetrack, so it’s time to go.”

Wolff’s career as a trackman has also seen him make stops at Buffalo Raceway, Garden State Park and Freehold Raceway. He’s been at the Big M for 20 years.
Wolff reflected on some of the things he has to deal with, both good and bad.

“The weather at The Meadowlands is the biggest challenge,” said Wolff. “It’s so unpredictable there. Winter is so up and down, and days of thawing make it challenging.”

Moisture isn’t necessarily an enemy of trackmen, or horses, if you go by what Wolff says.

“The best time for racing [at The Meadowlands] is hours after it rains,” said Wolff.

“The moisture that gets into that track is so even.”

Soon after a light rain on July 16, 2022, Bulldog Hanover stopped the clock in the William Haughton Memorial in 1:45.4, the only sub-1:46 mile in harness racing history.

“There actually is a lot of dirt on the track at The Meadowlands,” said Wolff.

“Trap rock is what it’s called. Limestone is used at a lot of tracks, and when limestone gets wet, it gets slimy, but trap rock, which is only located in the northeast, when it gets wet, makes the track faster. It provides a great cushion.”

Wolff, 70, is looking forward to spending time away from the track. But he’s not getting out completely.

“I’m still going to consult,” said Wolff.

“I do work for Kentucky, Buffalo, Batavia, Yonkers, and I’m still going to be involved at the Meadowlands. I’m going to consult once a month. I don’t want to ever give it up. I just love what I do too much.

“[Meadowlands Chief Operating Officer and General Manager] Jason Settlemoir and [Chairman and Chief Executive Officer] Jeff Gural and I have been friends for a long time, 20 to 25 years. I helped Jeff at Vernon [Downs] when they changed the size of the track, and I also helped him at Tioga [Downs].”

In retirement, Wolff is going to trade in his pickup dragging a screen to a boat on a lake.

“I love to fish,” said Wolff.

“We go to the Poconos once a year, and we also go to the Adirondacks.”

by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands