Meadowlands 2017 dates and stakes

East Rutherford, NJ – The Meadowlands has applied to the New Jersey Racing Commission requesting ninety one racing dates for the 2017 live harness racing season.
 
Those dates include racing seven Thursday cards from January 26 through March 9. The Meadowlands will also race four Thursday cards from December 15 through December 29 in 2016. Hopefully there will be enough horses available to fill three days of racing. This decision was made in response to a request by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey (SBOA of NJ) requesting more live dates during that time period.
 
Another important decision made in view of the robust market for yearlings at the recently concluded Lexington Selected Yearling Sale is to maintain as many of the Grand Circuit stakes at as close to current purse levels as possible, despite the burden of a purse account that is currently overpaid by $5 million.
 
For the record, the total amount in purses for all stakes at The Meadowlands in 2016 will be $17.7 million with nearly $6 million of that coming from the stakes percentage of the purse account.
 
The reality of sustaining a stakes program anywhere close to what we are accustomed to at The Meadowlands will require industry support via sponsorship of these races. We hope to be able to find sponsors for all of our stakes and Jason Hall will be reaching out to the major owners, breeders, vendors and other participants to hopefully raise enough in sponsorships to keep the majority of stakes programs in place.
 

40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT MEADOWLANDS RACETRACK

Track to honor past, present and future during live racing on Saturday, October 22

The past and present will meet when the Meadowlands Racetrack celebrates its 40th anniversary during the opening weekend of its fall harness meet on Saturday, October 22.

Fans will receive the official #40andForward long-sleeve t-shirt (free while supplies last) to commemorate the 40th anniversary beginning at 6:30 p.m. Post time is 7:15 p.m.

In addition, a special autograph session will take place from 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. featuring stars of the Meadowlands both past and present. Meadowlands Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob “Hollywood” Heyden will interview historic Meadowlands figures throughout the evening on the television broadcast.

Gallo Blue Chip, who earned more than $4.2 million during his Hall of Fame racing career and won the 2000 Meadowlands Pace, will lead the post parades during the evening. To further celebrate, a different legendary Meadowlands figure will drive the horse each race including Ted Wing, Bill O’Donnell, Greg Wright, and Cat Manzi.

The race card will be top-notch as well with eliminations for the $6.2 million Breeders Crown. Following the final race of the evening, a spectacular fireworks show will light up the sky over East Rutherford.

Admission and general parking are free.

For more information, visit www.playmeadowlands.com.

 
Meadowlands Media Department
 
 
 
 
 

 

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