Meadowlands: Dave Brower to be remembered Saturday

Everyone throughout harness racing has been mourning the loss of longtime Meadowlands lead TV personality, morning-line odds maker and program analyst Dave Brower, who passed away on Oct. 7 at the age of 53.

On Saturday (Nov. 12), those who knew Brower well, or were just among the many who thought highly of his talent, can come out and say goodbye at Brower's "Celebration of Life", which will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Big M winner's circle. For those who cannot attend, they can watch live on rtn.tv (Racetrack Television Network).

"We continue to mourn the loss of Dave Brower," said Meadowlands' Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. "But on Saturday night, we can put our sadness aside, for at least a little while, and pay tribute to Dave with his family and friends coming to the track and swapping happy memories and stories about someone who not only meant an awful lot to us at The Meadowlands, but to the entire industry as well."

Social media has blown up for five weeks with tributes to Brower. Three TV personalities who worked a lot with Brower had heartfelt sentiments about their fallen friend.

Dave Little, co-host on "Racing from The Meadowlands": "As good as Brower was, he always made it his business to tell everybody else how good they were. That was the essence of Dave Brower. Whatever the pursuit, he was the best guy in the room, but he was always busy telling everyone else how good they were."

Gabe Prewitt, co-host on the Red Mile simulcast: "We are devastated by the passing of our co-worker and dear friend Dave Brower. The worst day imaginable. He will be greatly missed and forever in our thoughts."

Gary Seibel, co-host on many national Hambletonian broadcasts: "I know I join thousands in and out of the horse racing world who are in complete shock and totally devastated by the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Dave Brower. You will be sorely missed. Rest In Peace."

KINDERGARTEN FINALS: Two-year-olds will be in the spotlight on Saturday's card, with four Kindergarten Series finals. Those dashes -- with purses totaling just over $1 million -- are:

* $279,290 Filly Trot: Mambacita will try to avenge her defeat at the hands of Bond in last week's final preliminary.

* $268,180 Colt and Gelding Trot: Volume Eight looks to up his win streak to four for trainer Noel Daley. Last week, the son of Chapter Seven broke early, gave up a ton of ground heading to the quarter before rebounding with a remarkable score.

* $233,970 Colt and Gelding Pace: Loubet impressed in last week's fourth leg, scoring for fun in just his third lifetime outing.

* $238,810 Filly Pace: Bellisima Hanover is the one to beat while Cultured looks for a minor upset off a fourth-leg win.

DON'T MISS THIS: After Hambletonian Day and Meadowlands Pace Night, the next biggest race card of the year at The Meadowlands is Fall Final Four/TVG Finals Night, which takes place on Saturday, Nov. 26.

That evening, eight events make up the last major night of the harness racing year. Two-year-olds will be in the spotlight in four $400,000 (est.) dashes: the Governor's Cup (male pace), Three Diamonds (filly pace), Valley Victory (male trot) and Goldsmith Maid (filly trot).

In addition, there will be four TVG Finals: the $350,000 (est.) 3&up Pace, $350,000 (est.) 3&up Trot, $175,000 (est.) 3&up F&M Pace and $175,000 (est.) 3&up F&M Trot. Estimated purses for the stakes events total $2.65 million.

Divisional honors will be up for grabs as the stakes eight-pack will go a long way helping voters determine who will walk away with those trophies.

Bulldog Hanover, as he has in virtually all his starts this year, will be the main attraction. The aged pacing superstar, who has already clinched Horse of the Year honors, will compete for the final time in his career in the TVG Open Pace.

Another horse that history will look upon in a bright light, the great Atlanta, will also be making her final lifetime appearance. The career earner of more than $3 million will look for one more big score in one of the TVG trotting events.

-edited release (Meadowlands)