Meadowlands: Track offers details for Hambletonian Day

There's a reason Christmas only comes once a year. The same can be said for Hambletonian Day at The Meadowlands, which is Saturday (Aug. 6).

It's so special, you couldn't do anything this big more than once every 12 months.

The drama will begin with a special early post time of noon when the field for the first of 16 action-packed races heads to the gate. There are 10 stakes events sprinkled throughout the day, headlined by the $1 million Hambletonian and $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks.

A big crowd is likely, with temperatures expected to be in the mid-80s.

"There is nothing in harness racing like Hambletonian Day," said Meadowlands' Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. "And I recommend to anyone that can to be with us live on track. The greatest stars from all over the world. The top horses in every division. The excitement. The food. The live music. A drawing for a grand prize of $10,000 for our Masterminds contest. This card will produce our biggest handle -- and very likely, our biggest attendance -- of 2022, so for horseplayers, they get to play in what will be our biggest pools of the year. The Big M is the place to be this Saturday."

WHERE TO WATCH: For those who cannot make it out to the track, The Hambletonian will be shown live on Fox Sports 1 (FS1) as part of the New York Racing Association's presentation of "Saratoga Live". Post time for The Hambo is 6:35 p.m. The on-track pregame show with Dave Brower and Dave Little kicks off at 11:30 a.m. The in-house show will be live streamed all day on The Big M's Facebook page and YouTube channel.

The Racetrack Television Network (rtn.tv) will offer the Meadowlands' in-house presentation free from playmeadowlands.com on Hambo Day.

The Hambletonian Oaks tops the undercard and has a post time of 4:48 p.m. That event will be shown as part of Fox Sports 2's (FS2) "America's Day at the Races" show, highlighting the thoroughbred action from Saratoga on Whitney Day, which showcases one of the best cards of the season in that sport. Post time for the Whitney is 5:48 p.m. Meadowlands' races will be featured between 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. on the telecast.

The CBS Sports Network (CBSSN) is doing a Hambletonian retrospective and 2022 recap on Sunday, Aug. 21, from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

The Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA-TV) will have race day coverage from 3 p.m.-7:15 p.m. but will take a break for 45 minutes, starting at 5:15 p.m., during which time they will show the Big M simulcast feed.

DEEP POOLS: Management at The Big M is upping its game for the big day, increasing its guaranteed pools from the usual $100,000 to $350,000. The first race 20-cent Pick-6 is guaranteed at $50,000; the third race 20-cent Pick-5 has a $75,000 promise; the Early 50-cent Pick-4 that starts with race eight is guaranteed to be $100,000, while the Late Pick-4 -- which begins in the 12th race -- is guaranteed at $125,000.

The Late Pick-4 is one the fans are sure to love. It begins with the Hambletonian Oaks, ends with the Hambletonian, and has the Jim Doherty Memorial and John Cashman Memorial sandwiched in between.

The Late 20-cent Pick-6 will start in the 10th race and conclude with the Hambletonian. That wager, as well as the Late 50-cent Pick-4 and 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 (which begins in race five), has a mandatory payout.

FULL MENU OF STAKES: These are the 10 stakes races that will take place on Hambletonian Day: the $145,000 Steele Memorial, $337,000 Peter Haughton Memorial, $92,300 Shady Daisy, $275,000 Cane Pace, $173,000 Lady Liberty, $278,000 McKee Memorial, $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks, $355,000 Doherty Memorial, $279,000 Cashman Memorial and $1,000,000 Hambletonian.

TALK ABOUT VALUE: It'll cost you $5 to get in the door on Saturday, but it's well worth the half a sawbuck, as admission includes a commemorative Hambletonian hat.

Gates open at 10 a.m.

Dining and seating options include a Promenade Table ($300), Café Table ($100) or seating on the second floor in the seating lounge.

For information and reservations, call 201-THE-BIGM.

Hambo Day festivities include live music in the Backyard by the Craig Sailer Project, carnival rides and games throughout the Backyard, a Hambletonian Hat Contest, a FanZone tent with free swag giveaways, a driver and trainer autograph session (from 10:30 a.m.-noon) and many food trucks.

FREE PROGRAMS: Free Harness Eye past performances for every race is available here.

EARLY BIRDS: Have plans on Hambo Day? Worry not, you can get your action, as wagering on the entire Hambletonian Day card will be available all day on Friday (Aug. 5).

NINE IS FINE: On the Hambletonian Day card, there are eight opportunities for players to make a score, betting into huge pools that feature a low 15 percent takeout. And because

it's a special day, they'll have an extra chance to hit big.

Here are the low takeout wagers that will be offered:
* Race 1: 20-cent Pick-6
* Race 3: 20-cent Pick-5
* Race 5: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7
* Race 8: 50-cent Pick-4
* Race 10: 20-cent Pick-6
* Race 12: 50-cent Pick-4
* Race 15: 10-cent Hi-5/Pentafecta
* Race 16: 10-cent Hi-5/Pentafecta
* The ninth low-takeout bet that will be offered is the "Cross Country Pick-5", a New York Racing Association wager that has a 50-cent base bet and big payoff potential. The bet encompasses the following races: Leg A -- Race 12 at The Meadowlands; Leg B -- Race nine at Saratoga; Leg C -- Race 10 at Saratoga; Leg D -- Race 11 at Saratoga; Leg E -- Race 15 at The Meadowlands.

-edited release (Meadowlands)