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The Meadowlands will race only once this week, with no live harness program on Friday, Aug. 14, because the New York Jets host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFL preseason game at neighboring MetLife Stadium.
Instead, the East Rutherford track will run a 13-race card on Saturday, Aug. 15, with first post pushed back to 7 p.m. because the New York Giants are scheduled to play the Minnesota Vikings earlier that day.
NFL preseason schedule alters the Meadowlands racing calendar
According to the track, live harness racing will continue on a Friday-Saturday schedule through Sept. 12 with a 6:20 p.m. first post, except for weeks affected by football traffic. Another Friday dark date is already set for Aug. 28, when the Giants and Jets meet at MetLife Stadium.
For bettors, Saturday’s menu includes a 20-cent Pick-5, 20-cent Survivor Pick-7, 50-cent Pick-4, 20-cent Pick-6, a second 50-cent Pick-4, and a 10-cent Pentafecta. The Meadowlands also said free program pages are available through the “news” dropdown at playmeadowlands.com.
Larry Fox and Mike Bozich are set to join Dave Little on the Big M TV broadcast, with Gary DiLeo handling paddock interviews.
Hambletonian Day delivered major stakes results and meet titles
The schedule adjustment follows a standout Hambletonian Day led by Apex, who won the $1 million Hambletonian in 1:49.2, listed as the fastest time in the race’s history. Nezuko Kamado S captured the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks in 1:51.4, making Marcus Melander the fourth trainer to win both the Hambletonian and Oaks on the same day.
Other stakes highlights included Sweet Lovin Lou winning the $310,750 Cane Pace in 1:47.3, Super Chapter taking the $281,200 John Cashman Memorial in 1:50.1, and Miki And Minnie beating Twin B Joe Fresh in the $156,500 Lady Liberty.
Track Chairman and CEO Jason Settlemoir said Hambletonian Day “delivered in a big way,” adding that the event drew a strong crowd for racing and related activities.
The Winter-Spring-Championship Meet titles also went final. Brett Beckwith led drivers with 101 wins, while Per Engblom topped trainers with 54. Dexter Dunn finished first among drivers in earnings at $3.24 million, and Melander led trainers with $2.42 million.
What to watch next
The next confirmed Meadowlands live card is Saturday night, Aug. 15, at 7 p.m. Players following the meet can also note the next known interruption: no live racing on Friday, Aug. 28, because of the Giants-Jets preseason game. As always, wager responsibly.
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Source: As reported by Dave Little.
