Meadowlands: Pace Night shaping up to be a big party
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A national television audience will be watching live Saturday (July 15) night when The Meadowlands presents its signature race as Fox Sports 1 (FS1) broadcasts the $668,000 Meadowlands Pace. The two-hour show, the result of a partnership between The Big M and the TV team at The New York Racing Association (NYRA), begins at 10 p.m. Post time for The Pace is 10:41 p.m.
There will be seven major stakes contested during the 14-race program that kicks off at 6:20 p.m. Three of those events will be shown live on FS1 during the “America’s Day at The Races” telecast as Big M TV’s Jessica Otten and Gabe Prewitt offer analysis and interviews.
The Fox show, in addition to The Pace, will also present both divisions of the $277,000 Stanley Dancer Memorial for 3-year-old colts and geldings (where 19 of the 20 entrants are Hambletonian eligible) as well as the $444,000 William R. Haughton Memorial, an Open event for pacers, featuring Abuckabett Hanover (7-2 on the morning-line), Ruthless Hanover (3-1), Allywag Hanover (5-1) and Bythemissal (4-1).
Also on the card is the $210,500 Del Miller Memorial (which will be split into two divisions) for 3-year-old trotting fillies with the unbeaten Bond (4-5) the star attraction; the $410,250 E.T. Gerry Jr. Hambletonian Maturity, an Open for 4-year-old trotters featuring the undefeated super mare Jiggy Jog S (1-5); the $169,000 Mistletoe Shalee, where Sylvia Hanover (9-5) will attempt to stay perfect in four seasonal starts in the dash for 3-year-old pacing fillies; and the $159,000 Dorothy Haughton Memorial, an Open for pacing mares where division leader Grace Hill (2-1) will look to get back on the winning track after a second-place finish in the Big M’s Perfect Sting two weeks ago. She’ll go up against 2021 Horse of the Year Test Of Faith (4-1) and Perfect Sting winner Silver Label (5-2).
The seven events – a total of nine races – will distribute purses totaling $2,337,750.
♦ 7% REBATE on Meadowlands Pace Night via DRF Bets
“This is the biggest nighttime race card of the year in the sport, and all of us at The Meadowlands are proud to host such an impactful evening of racing,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “The sport’s greatest stars will be on the program, and we look forward to what we anticipate will be a big night of business.”
A total of $4,733,390 was wagered on the 14-race Pace card a year ago, and Settlemoir is hopeful that business can be even better in 2023. On Friday, March 3, The Big M had its biggest night of the year at the windows when $4,519,050 was put in play.
“The Meadowlands understands that horseplayers are a big reason that we are the most popular nighttime signal in racing, regardless of breed,” said Settlemoir. “On our biggest night, we are offering eight wagers with a low 15 percent takeout, including a $100,000 guaranteed All-Stakes 50-cent Pick-4. Most of these takeouts have been lowered 40 percent, which gives substantially more money back to the players and helps keep them in action. Combine that with low minimums and the highest level of racing anyone can offer, and you can understand why we are anticipating big pools on Pace Night.”
The eight wagers that will offer a 15 percent takeout on Saturday’s card are:
♦ Race 1: 20-cent Pick-5
♦ Race 3: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7
♦ Race 4: 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
♦ Race 6: 20-cent Pick-6
♦ Race 7: Early 10-cent Hi-5
♦ Race 8: All-Stakes 50-cent Pick-4 ($100,000 guaranteed pool)
♦ Race 11: 50-cent Pick-4 (The Meadowlands Pace)
♦ Race 11: Late 10-cent Hi-5
In addition, the NYRA and The Big M will combine products for a wager called the “Cross Country Pick-5”. The 50-cent-base bet will comprise the ninth (post time, 5:45 p.m.) and 10th races at Saratoga with the 10th, 11th and 12th at The Meadowlands.
“The priority, of course, is on the Meadowlands Pace,” said Settlemoir. “The wagering menu reflects that. The Meadowlands Pace on race 11 will be the focal point of the wagering, with the Pace being the final leg of the Pick-3, Pick-4 and Pick-6. The Pace will also be the opening leg of a Pick-4 on the final four races on the card, which includes three stakes. A Hi-5 will also be available on The Meadowlands Pace, so there will be an abundance of wagering options involving the Pace itself.”
Many on-track options
There are several dining options available to accommodate those customers with an appetite for more than just racing. If you prefer to simply sit outside and focus on the horses; admission, parking and grandstand seating are all free.
Pace night offers a $500 Win Wager Challenge in which six randomly drawn contestants will be awarded a $500 bet in the designated contest races. Enter by Race 4.
The Meadowlands will stage the "Best Burger Battle" in the Backyard from 5-11pm. Fans are welcome and encouraged to come out to purchase and taste some of the best burgers in the area. There is no admission fee and vending begins at 5pm. There are also more than a dozen Food Trucks on the apron and throughout the Backyard along with DJ Alex pumping the beats.
Meadowlands T shirts have become a collectors item over the years and the tradition continues with #PaceThis in 2023.
-edited release (Meadowlands)