Meadowlands: Tyler Smith comes east for December

Leading Midwestern-based driver, Tyler Smith, is expected to move east to the Meadowlands beginning Thursday, December 15. The 23-year-old became the youngest driver in the history of harness racing to reach the 2,000 win plateau, which he achieved this past April.

“I am definitely planning to come out there starting this week and stay clear through December,” explained Smith, who also is the youngest driver to reach 1,000 career wins. “I want to see how things are going and then decide if I will stay into January and beyond.”

Smith has previously raced at the Meadowlands on a handful of occasions. He made his Meadowlands Pace debut and Breeders Crown debut in 2014 with the Joe Seekman-trained Let’s Drink On It. He had a night to remember at the Big M on June 28, 2014 when he won five races on one card. Overall, he has won eight races in 55 drives at the Meadowlands.

Smith will be one of several young up-and-coming drivers who will have greater opportunities this winter at the Meadowlands. He is scheduled to drive in 10 of Thursday’s 11 races for professionals.

There will be no shortage of hungry newcomers hoping to pick up valuable mounts. Meadowlands regulars Joe Bongiorno, Jim Marohn, Jr., and Vinny Ginsburg figure to slug it out with veterans John Campbell, Andy Miller, and Corey Callahan for leading driver honors during the winter months, where deep, competitive fields are expected to be the norm.

The Meadowlands will race the remaining Thursdays in December with the regular 7:15 p.m. post time. Thursdays will also be added to the regular Friday and Saturday schedule beginning January 26 and continuing through March 9.

Guaranteed Pools Update

The usual guaranteed pools in the Meadowlands Pick Five and Early and Late Pick Four wagers will be suspended on Thursday, December 15 and Thursday, December 22 as well as Saturday, December 31.

-edited release (Meadowlands)