You’d think after a five-week slumber, during which harness racing at The Meadowlands was in hibernation mode, the mile oval would come back and ease their way towards the final portion of the 2024 major-stakes calendar.

Think again.

The Big M returns with live harness action Friday (Oct. 18), with a special early post time of 12:30 p.m., and Saturday (Oct. 19), at the usual 6:20 p.m., with eliminations for the 12-race, year-end extravaganza known as the Breeders Crown. It’s the first time the Crown has been at The Meadowlands since 2021. Friday’s races will determine who will advance to the finals in the 2-year-old events while Saturday’s dashes will decide who will go for the big green in the 3-year-old and older races.

For those who can’t make it to the track, they can catch all of the action on Fox Sports as part of the network’s “America’s Day at the Races” show.

Friday’s telecast, which will be hosted by Acacia Clement and Greg Wolf and co-hosted by Paul Verderosa, can be seen on Fox Sports 2 (FS2) from 12:30-5:30 p.m. On Saturday, FS2’s coverage will go from 7:30-11 p.m. with Chris Griffin and Verderosa on set from Aqueduct Racetrack.

The first of two Breeders Crown finals shows will be telecast on Friday, Oct. 25 on FS1 from 8-11 p.m., while the Saturday, Oct. 26 broadcast can be seen on FS2 from 7:30-11 p.m. Clement and Verderosa will anchor both shows from The Meadowlands.

All four presentations will feature selections, analysis and interviews from Meadowlands’ TV talent Jessica Otten and Gabe Prewitt.

“Fox Sports and NYRA (New York Racing Association) are very excited to partner with The Meadowlands and the Hambletonian Society to present 15 hours of Breeders Crown coverage between FS1 and FS2,” said NYRA’s Sr. Director of TV Broadcast Operations Eric Donovan. “We look forward to showcasing all the top horses, drivers, owners, trainers and breeders in Standardbred racing at this championship event.”

Friday will provide something special for on-track Big M regulars, as after the completion of the harness races, a card of Thoroughbred turf racing will take place with a first-race post time of 7 p.m.

Only two of the 12 Crown divisions require no eliminations, as the Breeders Crown Open Trot (11 entrants) and Breeders Crown Mare Trot (nine) will have one dash for the cash.

The Crown finals for 2-year-olds take place on Friday, Oct. 25, with the 3-year-olds and older horses to battle in their respective finals on Saturday, Oct. 26. Post time for both race cards is 6:20 p.m.

“We are looking forward to welcoming back our faithful fans and our horsemen,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “And what better way to do it than with a rare Friday Breeders Crown afternoon program to kick off The Meadowlands’ Championship Fall Meeting broadcast live on FOX.

“Having these races shown to a national television audience is remarkably important to us at The Meadowlands as well as everybody at the Hambletonian Society. With a continuing presence coast-to-coast, we are raising our visibility to new heights while getting an audience that has been mainly focused on Thoroughbred racing interested in our game as well.” 

“The Meadowlands has been home to the ultimate in championship racing since the doors opened in 1976,” said Hambletonian Society President and Chief Executive Officer John Campbell. The Society owns and administers the Breeders Crown.

“We are delighted to continue the Society’s long-term relationship with Meadowlands management by partnering in hosting the top-class events in the sport.”

The Breeders Crown will feature the four $700,000 finals for 2-year-olds, the richest events offered in the division, while the eight 3-year-old and open races will have purses ranging from $400,000-$700,000. Total purses are estimated at $7 million. 

“The next seven weeks at The Big M will undoubtedly go a long way toward determining who will be harness racing’s Horse of The Year, along, of course, with divisional honors,” said Settlemoir. “Beginning with the Breeders Crown and culminating with the FanDuel Championships and Fall Final Four on Nov. 30, you will see the greatest stars in the world right here.”

TREMENDOUS TOP 10: Here is the current Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown weekly Top 10 Poll. As you can see, many of the sport’s top starts will be craving a crown.

1.      Twin B Joe Fresh (race 11 Saturday)

2.      Jiggy Jog S (retired)

3.      Chantilly (ineligible)

4.      Captain Albano (race three Saturday)

5.      Karl (race nine Saturday)

6.      Nijinsky (race six Saturday)

7.      Maryland (Peter Haughton winner earned a Breeders Crown final bye)

8.      Sig Sauer (race two Saturday)

9.      Legendary Hanover (eligible, did not enter)

10.  Fallout (race 10 Friday)

THAT’S A GUARANTEE: The wagering menu for the Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands will undoubtedly fire up the mile oval’s loyal fan betting base, as there will be $400,000 in guaranteed pools up for grabs.

On Saturday (Oct. 19), there will be a guaranteed pool of $50,000 on both the Early 50-cent Pick-4 (races six through nine) and Late 50-cent Pick-4 (10 through 13).

Then, on both Friday, Oct. 25, and Saturday, Oct. 26, the Early Pick-4 is guaranteed at $100,000 while the Late P4 will be at least $50,000.

Here is a look at what bettors can expect night in and night out when playing Meadowlands’ races for the foreseeable future:

·         20-cent Pick-5: Race 1-5

·         20-cent Survivor Pick-7: Races 3-9

·         50-cent Pick-4: Races 6-9

·         20-cent Pick-6: Races 8-13

·         50-cent Pick 4: Races 10-13

·         10-cent Pentafecta (Hi-5): Race 14 (or final race)

The Meadowlands has added two superfectas to each card. There will now be 10 superfecta opportunities on 14-race programs. The minimum wager is a dime.

FA-REEE! To show appreciation to its loyal fan base, The Meadowlands offers free programs on every race of every race card on its website.

Go to playmeadowlands.com to get the past performances at absolutely no cost.

“X” MARKS THE SPOT: Everything Meadowlands is available by going on X (formerly known as Twitter). You can check in with the Big M team for early changes, racing information and staff selections by going to @themeadowlands or #playbigm.

Stay in touch with The Big M team of Jessica Otten (@JessicaOtten1), Dave Little (@DaveLittleBigM), Ken Warkentin (@kenvoiceover) and John Rallis (@john_rallis).

RALLIS’ RACE REVIEWS: For some help with your handicapping, check out the race reviews of Rallis, who is the Big M’s morning-line oddsmaker and program analyst.

Rallis’ reviews are available 48 hours before a given card, and all one has to do to access the information is go to playmeadowlands.com, go to the “handicapping” tab, then click “race reviews.”

BREEDERS CROWN DINING: Time is running short to get your dining reservations for the Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands.

Friday’s $49.95 (plus tax and gratuity) lunch buffet includes pulled pork sandwiches, sausage and peppers, cheesesteak egg rolls and chili with sweet jalapeno-honey butter cornbread.

Keep in mind, Friday’s card has a special early post time of 12:30 p.m.

Saturday’s $49.95 (plus tax and gratuity) dinner buffet features Swedish meatballs, hand-carved roast beef, lemon-herb salmon and ginger soy chicken.

Pink Restaurant’s buffet on finals night, Friday, Oct. 25, features shrimp cocktail, gouda-stuffed arancini and grilled Caesar salad.  Guests can also dine on a chili-rubbed NY strip, baked Mahi Mahi with a lemon dill sauce and moist carrot cake. Friday’s menu is $74.95 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Saturday’s (Oct. 26) buffet is $79.95 plus tax and gratuity and is highlighted by a seafood tower filled with shrimp, clams, oysters and crab legs. Other menu features include lobster bisque, roasted ribeye and sweet-and-sour chicken.

Reservations can be made by calling 201-The-BIGM (201-843-2446). All reservations must be prepaid.

Guests looking for ala carte dining can head to the second-floor Lounge, which is the place to be to watch and wager all the racing and the day’s sports action. Guests can dine on delicious Victory Sports Bar fare, which includes wings, burgers, lobster mac and cheese, salads, wraps and more. The purchase price is a food credit that will be applied to the food and beverage bill. Tax and gratuity are not included in this credit and are additional.

Available Seating/Dining Options for purchase include:

Grandstand Bar Seat: $50 per seat

Grandstand Lounge Table:  $100 per two-person table; $200 for a four-person table.

Grandstand Lounge Couch: $200 per two-person section, complete with couch.  

Tables are now available for purchase at https://www.playmeadowlands.events/event-details/bc-dining-tickets.

BCCC INFLUENCER CONTEST: Team influencers will compete in a weekend-long handicapping contest on Oct. 18-19.

The contest will span two live race nights, and the influencer who amasses the most money will earn the most points for their team

For more information on the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge, go here.

KISS THE WORLD SERIES RINGS! On Friday (Oct. 18), come to the track and meet New York Yankees World Series legend Jim Leyritz, who is the special guest for a special Q&A that will be moderated by New York Times bestselling author Todd Ehrlich.

Bring your questions about Leyritz's memorable career – he’s a three-time World Series champion – as well as the current Yankees and more.

Details:

·         When: 7-8:30 p.m.

·         Where: Second-floor Lounge

·         Seating: First come, first served

·         Food and beverage: Available for purchase

·         Drawings: For Leyritz autographed baseballs and autographed copies of Ehrlich’s 20 Greatest Moments in New York Sports History: Our Generation of Memories, From 1960 to Today

POWERHOUSE PROMOTIONS: This year’s Breeders Crown finals take place Oct. 25 and 26 at The Meadowlands. Both nights feature special promotions and events to complement the great racing action.

Friday’s promotions include:

·         $1,200 Halloween Costume Contest (Sign up from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse Lobby with judging in the Winner’s Circle following Race 4. First Prize: $500; 2nd place: $250; 3rd place: $100; 4th place: $50. Bonus categories: $100 for Scariest; $100 for funniest; $100 for best horse-themed costume)

·         Tote Machine Payout (Guests who use any self-service tote machine between 6:15 and 11 p.m. are eligible to win. Voucher values from $2-$500. Voucher prizes based on the overall number of wagers made in the entire facility on self-service machines. Must be present at The Meadowlands to participate.)

Saturday’s promotions:

·         $1,200 Breeders Crown Hat Contest (Sign up from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse Lobby with judging in the Winner’s Circle following Race 4. First Prize: $500; 2nd place: $250; 3rd place: $100; 4th place: $50. Bonus categories: $100 for Scariest; $100 for funniest; $100 for best horse-themed costume)

·         $10,000 Handicapping Contest ($100 betting card purchase required at contest check-in. Entry includes a live racing program. Format: Contestants must bet a minimum of five Meadowlands races. No minimum and no maximum bet per race. Open to any wager on the Meadowlands live wagering menu. This includes W/P/S, Exacta, Trifecta, Pick 3/4/5/6, Daily Double and Superfecta wagers. Contestants keep all pari-mutuel winnings. Unlimited entries allowed per person. Payouts: 1st – $2,500; 2nd – $2,000; 3rd – $1,250; 4th – $1,000; 5th – $750; 6th-10th – $500)

YOU WANT FABULOUS? HEAD TO FANDUEL: The Breeders Crown will be the latest addition to a thriving New York sports scene.

This past spring the New York Knicks basketball team and New York Rangers hockey club brought enormous excitement to The Meadowlands’ FanDuel Sportsbook every night with their respective deep runs in the NBA and NHL playoffs.

Currently, the New York Yankees and New York Mets are both still alive in the hunt for a World Series title, and the potential for the first Subway Series since 2000 has the entire metropolitan area sports fan base in a frenzy.

The FanDuel Sportsbook, the No. 1 facility of its type in North America, is located inside the grandstand at The Big M, where fans can get their baseball action.

On Thursday (Oct. 17), both the Yankees and Mets will be in action.

The Yankees will be in Cleveland for Game 3 of the American League Championship Series with the Guardians. The Yankees, who lead the best-of-seven series two games to none, are the -120 favorite in the game that has an under/over of 7½ runs. First pitch is at 5:08 p.m.

At 8:08 p.m., the Mets will host the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLCS. The game is critical for the Amazin’s, who trail the best-of-seven two games to one. FanDuel’s oddsmakers have the Dodgers as the -136 favorite in the game that has an under/over of 7 runs.

Whatever the sport, for the latest odds, go here.

The FanDuel Sportsbook is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-1 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-1 a.m.; and Sunday 8 a.m.-midnight. For cash-at-counter customers, the hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.-11 p.m.

When female pacer That’s The Ticket was retired seven years ago because of an injury, owner Craig Henderson thought he would sell the 2016 Three Diamonds Stakes winner. That was until he received input from the filly’s trainer, Chris Ryder.

FULL STORY CLICK HERE

Harness racing’s No. 1-ranked horse, Twin B Joe Fresh, will start her pursuit of a Breeders Crown from post 10 when she competes in Saturday’s (Oct. 19) lone Mare Pace elimination at the Meadowlands. First-race post time Saturday is 6:20 p.m. (EDT).

Twin B Joe Fresh will be among the 98 horses ages 3 and up competing in elims Saturday. In addition to the single Mare Pace elimination, the Meadowlands will host two $25,000 elims each for 3-year-old male and female pacers, 3-year-old male and female trotters, and older male pacers. The Open Trot and Mare Trot went straight to finals.

All finals for horses ages 3 and up will be Oct. 26 at The Meadowlands, one night after the 2-year-olds take center stage. Elimination winners, in an order determined by lot, will draw for post positions one through six in their respective finals. All other finalists will be placed in an open draw for the remaining post positions.

The top eight finishers in the Breeders Crown Mare Pace elimination will join bye recipients Silver Label and Strong Poison in the final. In Saturday’s remaining elims, the top five finishers from each will advance to their respective finals.

Twin B Joe Fresh has won nine consecutive starts for trainer Chris Ryder since beginning her season with a second-place finish against male rivals in a conditioned race. Her victories include the Dayton Distaff Derby, Roses Are Red Stakes, Milton Stakes, Lady Liberty, Dorothy Haughton Memorial, and Perfect Sting Stakes. She has spent 14 consecutive weeks at No. 1 in the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll.

Among the remaining mares in the elim is two-time Breeders Crown champion Sylvia Hanover from the stable of Mark and Shawn Steacy. She will leave from post four.

The eliminations for 3-year-old male pacers feature Little Brown Jug, Adios and Max C. Hempt Memorial winner Captain Albano, trained by Noel Daley and ranked No. 4 in the Top 10 poll, and North America Cup and Ontario Sires Stakes champion Nijinsky, trained by Anthony Beaton and ranked No. 6. The group also includes returning Breeders Crown champ Gem Quality, another Ryder trainee.

Captain Albano is in the first elimination; Nijinsky and Gem Quality are in the second.

Hambletonian champion Karl, also a returning Breeders Crown winner, leads a group of 17 horses in the elims for 3-year-old male trotters. The Nancy Takter trainee is ranked No. 5 in the Top 10.

Among other hopefuls are Daley-trained Kentucky Futurity and Earl Beal Jr. Memorial winner Sig Sauer, Åke Svanstedt-trained Canadian Trotting Classic winner Amazing Catch, and Mark Etsell-trained Goodtimes winner Highland Kismet. Sig Sauer is ranked No. 8 in the Top 10.

Karl and Highland Kismet are in the second elimination; Sig Sauer and Amazing Catch are in the first.

Returning Breeders Crown winner and Hambletonian Oaks champ Warrawee Michelle, trained by Svanstedt, is among the 20 horses in the elims for 3-year-old female trotters. The group features 12 Grand Circuit winners, including Svanstedt-trained Elegantimage winner French Champagne, John Butenschoen-trained Kentucky Filly Futurity champ R Melina, and Lucas Wallin-trained 2023 Dan Patch Award recipient Soiree Hanover.

Warrawee Michelle, Soiree Hanover and R Melina meet in the second elim. French Champagne is in the first.

Eighteen fillies were entered in the event for 3-year-old female pacers, including returning Breeders Crown winner My Girl EJ, trained by Ron Burke. The group also includes fellow multiple Grand Circuit winners Caviart Belle, trained by Takter; Its A Love Thing, trained by Dave Menary; and Rocket Deo, trained by Brett Pelling. Its A Love Thing’s victories include the Fan Hanover Stakes.

My Girl EJ is in the first elimination. Caviart Belle, Its A Love Thing and Rocket Deo meet in the second.

Returning Breeders Crown champ Bythemissal, another Burke trainee, is among 17 horses in the Open Pace. The group also includes Andrew Harris-trained multiple Grand Circuit winner Abuckabett Hanover, Linda Toscano-trained Canadian Pacing Derby winner It’s My Show, and Larry Stalbaum-trained Sam McKee Memorial winner Rocknroll Runa A.

Bythemissal and It’s My Show are in the first elim; Abuckabett Hanover and Rocknroll Runa A are in the second.

All 3-year-old finals plus the Open Pace and Open Trot finals will go for $600,000. The Mare Trot final will have a purse of $496,000 because of two supplements, and the Mare Pace final will go for $400,000.

For Saturday’s complete entries, click the following link: Saturday Entries – Meadowlands.

Metro Pace champion Fallout, ranked No. 10 in the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll, will lead the way Friday afternoon (Oct. 18) when the Meadowlands hosts nine $25,000 Breeders Crown eliminations for 2-year-old pacers and trotters. First-race post time Friday is 12:30 p.m. (EDT).

Fallout will be among 72 freshmen competing in elims Friday. Two other 2-year-olds, male trotter Maryland and female trotter Champagne Problems, will advance directly to their event’s finals thanks to their wins in last month’s Peter Haughton Memorial and Jim Doherty Memorial, respectively. Maryland is ranked No. 7 in the sport’s Top 10 poll.

All 2-year-old Breeders Crown finals will be Oct. 25 at the Big M. Elimination winners as well as Maryland and Champagne Problems, in an order determined by lot, will draw for post positions one through six in their respective finals. All other finalists will be placed in an open draw for the remaining post positions.

Sixteen 2-year-old male pacers were entered in the Breeders Crown, requiring two eliminations. The top five finishers from each elim will advance to the final.

Fallout, the sport’s richest freshman male pacer with $486,750 in purses for trainer Tony Alagna, will leave from post six in the second elimination. The son of Captaintreacherous-Aria Hanover brings a three-race win streak to his elim and has won four of nine races overall.

Among the remaining male pacers competing in Friday’s elims are Ohio Sires Stakes champion Sippinonsearoc and Kentucky Sire Stakes champion Louprint, both trained by Ron Burke. They rank second and third, respectively, in earnings for 2-year-old male pacers. Sippinonsearoc is the fastest 2-year-old in history, with a mark of 1:48.2. They meet in the first elimination.

There also will be two elims for the 2-year-old male trotters, with 16 horses in action as they look to join Maryland in the final. The top- our finishers from each elim plus the fifth-place finisher with the highest earnings will advance to the final.

That group includes Grand Circuit and Kentucky Sire Stakes winner Super Chapter and Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champion Meshuggah, who, like Maryland, are trained by Marcus Melander. Also in the mix is Grand Circuit winner Memento Mori, an Eric Patalan trainee whose 1:51.4 mark is tied for the season’s best by a freshman trotter. Meshuggah and Memento Mori are in the first elim; Super Chapter is in the second.

There will be three eliminations for 2-year-old female trotters, with 23 fillies in action Friday as they attempt to join Nancy Takter-trained Champagne Problems in the final. The top three finishers from each elim will advance to the final.

Among the hopefuls are Grand Circuit winners Aperfect Annie, R Dutchess, Royal Mission, and Sound Judgement. Aperfect Annie, trained by Carter Pinske, also counts the Kentucky Sire Stakes championship among her wins while Melander-trained Royal Mission is the New York Sire Stakes champ.

Jim Oscarsson-trained Sound Judgement and John Butenschoen-trained R Dutchess are among the season’s fastest rookie female trotters, right behind 1:51.4 performer Luna Lovegood, another Melander trainee.

Seventeen 2-year-old female pacers were entered in the Breeders Crown, resulting in two eliminations. The top five finishers from each elim will advance to the final.

Jared Bako will send out two of this season’s highest money-winning freshman fillies, New York Sire Stakes champion and She’s A Great Lady runner-up The Last Martini and NYSS runner-up Cowgirl Hanover. The duo has combined for more than $700,000 in purses.

Burke has a trio of Grand Circuit winners in Rose, Looksgoodinloulou, and Rodeo Drive Deo. Looksgoodinloulou has a mark of 1:48.3, tied for the fastest in history by a 2-year-old female pacer while Rose also has the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes title to her credit. Chris Ryder-trained Miki And Minnie is a Grand Circuit winner and Kentucky Sire Stakes champion.

Cowgirl Hanover, Looksgoodinloulou, Rodeo Drive Deo, and Miki And Minnie are in the first elim. Rose and The Last Martini are in the second.

For Friday’s complete entries, click the following link: Friday Entries — Meadowlands

Princess Jackie will look to be queen for a day when she meets six rivals in the second of three $25,000 Breeders Crown eliminations for 2-year-old female trotters Friday afternoon at The Meadowlands. First-race post time Friday is 12:30 p.m. (EDT).

FULL STORY CLICK HERE

The 2024 Breeders Crown Charity Challenge continues this weekend, October 18-19th, with the Challenge Influencer Handicapping Contest.

Jessica Otten, Dawnelle Mock, Jenna Otten, and Mary McDermott will battle it out in this mythical contest to earn needed points for their respective teams.

·         SBH Health System, Bronx, NY

·         Team Gingras: Jenna Otten, Tony Alagna, Burke Racing/Weaver Bruscemi

·        Friends of Union County

·          Team Dunn: Jessica Otten, Nancy Takter, Courant

·        enCourage Kids, NY

·          Team Tetrick: Mary McDermott, Ake Svanstedt, Bill Pollock

·        New Jersey YMCA State Alliance

·          Team David Miller: Dawnelle Mock, Marcus Melander, Brad Grant

Handicapping Contest Format

• Each race night, the influencers will be given $100 in “mythical battle money.”
• Their mythical wagers can be on any race/wager offered on the race card.
• The $100 must be wagered each night
• The combined earnings from each night will determine the order of finish, with 1st receiving 50 points, 2nd 25 points, 3rd 15 points, and 4th 10 points.

Remaining Ways Teams Earn Points:

• • Through October 19, Driver and Trainer team performance on the Grand Circuit. Every time they are in a primary stakes race, they earn points that are calculated.

  • Through October 24, Fan Voting:  fans, charity participants, and everyone in between can vote on each day of the challenge for their favorite team. Voting is live at https://playmeadowlands.com/breeders-crown-charity-challenge/

The teams have already earned points in the August double-seater jog cart race. SBH Health System from the Bronx, with CFO Mary Grochowiski, took home first place and 50 points. Julie Gallanty, CEO of the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, grabbed 25 points by finishing second. Emma Wolk, the Director of Development at Kids’ Direct, scored 15 points with her third-place finish. John Roman, representing Friends of Union County, received 10 points.

Additional points were earned at the Charity Challenge Open House, where SBH took home 50 points, enCourage Kids and the NJ YMCA State Alliance earned 17 points, and Friends of Union County earned 16 points.

The check presentations will take place on Friday, October 25, following Race 2 on the night’s card, which features the Breeders Crown two-year-old Finals.

The Breeders Crown Charity Challenge was conceived to create positive relationships with the local community, raise awareness, and fund local charities. From 2019-2023 the Challenge raised over $1.5 Million for charity. This year’s Challenge has raised over $345,000.

Thank you to the 2024 Charity Challenge Sponsors:

• Diamond Sponsors: Meadowlands Racetrack & FanDuel

• Platinum Sponsors

  • Marvin & Lynn Katz

  • Diamond Creek

  • Brad Grant

  • Burke Racing & Weaver Bruscemi

  • Bill Pollock

  • Anders Strom – Courant, Inc.

  • Takter Stable

  • Melander Stable

  • Svanstedt Stable

  • Alagna Racing

  • Brittany Farms

  • Kentuckiana Farms

  • Hunterton Sales Agency

  • Cameo Hills Farm

  • Armitage Farm

  • M&L of Delaware

• Gold Sponsors

  • Dexter Dunn

  • Yannick Gingras

  • Dave Miller

  • Tim Tetrick

  • Julie Miller

  • Carter Pinske

  • Southwind Farms

  • Walnridge Farm

  • Lucas Wallin

  • Todd McCarthy

  • Scott Zeron

Everything Breeders Crown can be viewed at https://playmeadowlands.com/event/breeders-crown-championships/

Reminder to get dining reservations in for Breeders Crown Eliminations weekend, October 18-19, and Breeders Crown Finals weekend, October 25-26.

Friday, October 18, has a special post time of 12:30 p.m., while Saturday, October 19, Friday, October 25, and Saturday, October 26, have a post time of 6:20 p.m.

This Friday’s $49.95 (plus tax and gratuity) lunch buffet includes pulled pork sandwiches, sausage and peppers, cheesesteak eggrolls and chili with sweet jalapeno-honey butter cornbread.

Saturday’s $49.95 (plus tax and gratuity) dinner buffet features Swedish meatballs, hand-carved roast beef, lemon-herb Salmon and ginger soy chicken.

Pink Restaurant’s buffet on Finals night, Friday, October 25, features shrimp cocktail, Gouda-stuffed arancini, and grilled Caesar salad.  Guests can also dine on chili-rubbed NY strip, baked Mahi Mahi with a lemon dill sauce, and moist carrot cake. Friday’s menu is $74.95 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Saturday’s buffet is $79.95 plus tax and gratuity and is highlighted by a seafood tower filled with shrimp, clams, oysters, and crab legs. Other menu features include lobster bisque, roasted ribeye, and sweet and sour chicken.

Reservations can be made by calling 201-The-BIGM (201-843-2446). All reservations must be prepaid.

Guests looking for ala carte dining can enjoy our 2nd floor Lounge, which is the place to be to watch and wager all the racing and the day’s sports action. Guests can dine on delicious Victory Sports Bar fare, including wings, burgers, lobster mac and cheese, salads, wraps, and more. The purchase price is a food credit that will be applied to the food and beverage bill. Tax and gratuity are not included in this credit and are additional.

Available Seating/Dining Options for purchase include:

Grandstand Bar Seat: $50 per seat

Grandstand Lounge Table:  $100 per two-person table/$200 for a four-person table.

Grandstand Lounge Couch: $200 per two-person section, complete with couch.  

Tables are now available for purchase at https://www.playmeadowlands.events/event-details/bc-dining-tickets.

A record 194 horses were entered Tuesday for the $7 million Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands, topping the previous high of 185 set last year at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Eliminations will be required for all but two events, the Open Trot and Mare Trot. Post-position draws will be available later this afternoon.

Eliminations for all 2-year-old events will be held Friday afternoon at The Meadowlands. First-race post time Friday is 12:30 p.m. (EDT). Eliminations for the remaining events, for horses ages 3 and up, will be held Saturday night at The Big M. First-race post time Saturday is 6:20 p.m. (EDT).

Eleven horses were entered in the Breeders Crown Open Trot and will advance directly to the Oct. 26 final: Ari Ferrari J, Asteroid, Bestfriend Volo, Hasty Bid, Hillexotic, It’s Academic, Logan Park, Oh Well, Periculum, Up Your Deo, and Winner’s Bet.

Nine horses were entered in the Breeders Crown Mare Trot and will advance directly to the final, also on Oct. 26: Baroness Hill, Call Me Goo, M-M’s Dream, Nelsonbriteagle NO, Pioneer As, Refined, Swans Eye, Tactical Mounds, and Warrawee Xenia. Call Me Goo and Nelsonbriteagle NO were supplemental entries.

According to a Facebook post from the Svanstedt Stable, Jiggy Jog S has been retired from racing due to a “small tear on her sesamoid ligament” after her last start in the Dayton Derby.

The decision and announcement came Monday (Oct. 14) and indicated “she is not lame or in any pain” and will continue her career as a broodmare.

Following is the Facebook post making the announcement.

“Today we made the decision to stop racing Jiggy Jog. After her last start in the Dayton Derby, we noticed something wasn’t right. We had her examined by two veterinarians and it was found she has a small tear on her sesamoid ligament, which is very uncommon in Standardbreds.

“Good news is, we caught it early and she is not lame or in any pain.

“She has given us so much joy and excitement for four years.

“Every time she went behind the gate, it was a pleasure to watch her amazing technique, speed and fighting instinct to win.

“She gave 110% every time!

“Now we look forward to her next chapter in life as a broodmare. We want to wish her and all her owners a successful breeding career.

“A big thank you to her best friend and caretaker Rene Lopez for your professional support and care for her throughout these years.

“Thank you to her driver Dexter Dunn.

“Thank you ~ JIGGY JOG.”

Trotting mares Call Me Goo and Nelsonbriteagle NO, both from the stable of trainer Ake Svanstedt, have been supplemented to the upcoming Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands. The deadline for supplemental entries was noon Monday. No other horses were supplemented.

The cost to supplement for each mare was $48,000. The one-time supplemental payment also makes the horses eligible to all future Breeders Crown events under the normal schedule of payments.

Any necessary eliminations for horses ages 3 and older, including the Breeders Crown Mare Trot, will be contested Saturday night (Oct. 19) at The Big M. First-race post time is 6:20 p.m. (EDT). Any necessary eliminations for 2-year-olds will be held Friday afternoon (Oct. 18) at The Meadowlands. First-race post time Friday is 12:30 p.m. (EDT).

The entry box for all horses eligible to the Breeders Crown closes at 9 a.m. (EDT) Tuesday (Oct. 15).

Call Me Goo, a 4-year-old daughter of Googoo Gaagaa-Callmemza, has hit the board in 31 of 35 career races, winning 22 and earning $688,518.

This season, she has six victories and three seconds in 12 starts. She enters the Breeders Crown off a 1:51.4 triumph in the Allerage Farms Mare Trot on Oct. 6 at Lexington’s Red Mile, where she defeated Nelsonbriteagle NO by a neck. She also captured the Armbro Flight Stakes in a career-best 1:51.2 in June at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Call Me Goo is owned by Graham Grace Stables and Ake Svanstedt Inc. She was bred by William “Bib” Roberts.

Nelsonbriteagle NO, a 6-year-old daughter of Bold Eagle-Lindy’s Holiday, is in her first season competing in North America.

She has hit the board in all seven of her starts here, winning two and earning $98,955. She won the Miss Versatility Series championship on Sept. 19 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in central Ohio and a conditioned race in a career-best 1:51.1 on Sept. 6 at The Meadowlands, where she beat Call Me Goo by a nose.

Nelsonbriteagle NO, who won 11 races and earned $81,674 overseas, is owned by Ake Svanstedt Inc. and breeder Nils Johan Munkhaugen.