Meadowlands: Live racing returns this weekend with Kindergarten series

Following is an edited release from The Meadowlands

Live harness racing returns to The Meadowlands Friday (Nov. 4) after a six-week hiatus, and for Big M fans craving action, things will go full-bore from the start of the "Fall Championship Meet" both on the track and in the best simulcast venue anywhere.

Post time for the first race this Friday and Saturday (Nov. 5) is 6:20 p.m.

During the weekend, the fourth and final leg of the Kindergarten Series for 2-year-olds of each sex and gait will take place over the mile oval, while in Kentucky, the best thoroughbreds in training will go at it in the Breeders' Cup, with the action available for Meadowlands' patrons in the track's expansive simulcast area.

On Opening Night Friday, the GSY (Gural Settlemoir Yarock) Racing Club will pay tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was a great lover of horses.

There will be a video tribute to The Queen shown during the night, and then later in the evening on the track, the GSY drivers that Big M fans are familiar with will take on five pilots from Britain in what promise to be races with full fields, big wagering pools and unpredictable outcomes. A bagpiper will be on hand to add to the festivities.

Thoroughbred fans will get to watch and wager on the Breeders' Cup -- which will have five events -- earlier in the day.

Saturday's live racing will feature the Kindergarten and those dashes will serve as the last chance for horses to earn their way into the following week's four big-money finals, with estimated total purses exceeding $1 million.

Day two of the Breeders' Cup has a gigantic marquee attraction, with Breeders' Cup Classic favorite, the unbeaten Flightline, serving as the headliner.

Ala carte dining for Big M fans taking in the Breeders' Cup is available in the Lounge on both Friday and Saturday. Reservations can be made by emailing victoryreservations@arkrestaurants.com.

CIRCLE THE DATE: 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.

There have been times in the past when Horse of the Year honors have been clinched on this autumn evening, but that's not the case this year with Bulldog Hanover having already locked up that award with his long list of accomplishments this season, which include a 1:45 4/5 clocking at The Meadowlands, the fastest mile ever in the history of the sport.

To make this night even more memorable, Bulldog's connections are tentatively going to put the Breeders Crown champion in the entry box for what could be the final start of his career. This is a race not to be missed.

THE SCHEDULE: Racing at The Big M will be conducted on a Friday-Saturday basis through the end of the year, with a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m. There is one exception on the schedule, as there will be no live racing on Dec. 23-24.

REMEMBERING BROWER: There will be a Celebration of Life for Dave Brower on Saturday, Nov. 12. The ceremony has a special early start time of 5:30 p.m.

The longtime lead TV host, oddsmaker and program analyst at the track, Brower passed away on Oct. 7 at age 53 while on assignment at The Red Mile, sending shock waves throughout the industry.

Brower will be remembered in the winner's circle before the races, and then during the card, there will be interviews conducted by Brower's longtime broadcast partner, Dave Little, on set with people who will share stories about the popular personality, who spent two decades working at The Big M.