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Located in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, lies the Meadowlands Racetrack, a horse racing track. The track hosts harness racing in addition to thoroughbred racing. In the area, people refer to it as “The Big M.”
The perimeter of the Meadowlands main track is one mile (1,609 meters), with a thoroughbred turf course measuring seven furlongs (1,408 meters) inside. Night racing is possible on the track, and most races take place at this time. Designed to mimic the state of New Jersey, there is a lake in the center of the track. The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which also manages Monmouth Park, is in charge of the track.
Meadowlands Racetrack History
Meadowlands Racetrack, which opened in the middle of the 1970s, hosted its inaugural harness race on September 1, 1976, and its first thoroughbred race on September 6, 1977. Every fall since 1976, save from the inaugural season, the thoroughbreds have had their own race; standardbreds, or harness horses, have raced the rest of the year.
The song “Racing With The Moon,” first made popular in 1941 by bandleader Vaughn Monroe, was used extensively in the highly sophisticated and well-received advertising campaign that coincided with the opening of thoroughbred racing at the Meadowlands in 1977. This song alludes to the fact that the racing would take place at night, a situation that still holds true, though afternoon programs are occasionally presented during extended holiday weekends.
“It’s All About Being Here – The Meadowlands!” is a direct and snappy way to promote live racing in more recent advertising efforts. The “Big M” has a reputation for being a harness racing track with smooth turns and expansive sections. Rambling Willie ran the fastest harness mile in New Jersey history on opening night at the track, clocking in at 1:55.4. On August 5, 2006, at the track, Holborn Hanover set a world record for the fastest mile by a standardbred, clocking 1:46.8 while riding for George Brennan. The race was part of the U.S. Pacing Championship.
Since 1981, the second leg of the Trotting Triple Crown, the Hambletonian, has taken place at the Meadowlands Racetrack. In 1:51, Ron Pierce’s Muscle Massive team won the 2010 Hambletonian.
In previous seasons, top drivers have included Tim Tetrick, Ron Pierce, Brian Sears, and George Brennan.
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which also manages Monmouth Park, is in charge of running the track.
The Meadowlands currently employs Sam McKee and Ken Warkentin as race callers and commentators. Having served as the track’s primary public address announcer from its opening until the early 2000s, veteran sportscaster Dave Johnson continues to promote events for the track in his capacity as “senior track announcer.”
The Meadowlands Rail Line began operating events in July 2009, but once the neighboring American Dream Meadowlands are finished, it is anticipated to operate every day.
Owner of several racing racetracks, including Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Bruton Smith, has long eyed Meadowlands Racetrack for potential conversion into a short track site for NASCAR events in the New York City region. His most recent attempt to buy the song, one of many that he made in the late 1990s, was unsuccessful. In January 2010, Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey released a report that included the possibility of closing the Meadowlands Racetrack and either selling it for commercial use or transforming it into a NASCAR facility. Governor Christie has thought of closing the racetrack entirely or leasing or selling it to a private company.
Currently, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority wants to sell off the racetrack; however, a court case has delayed the leasing agreement with Jeffrey R. Gural of Newmark Knight Frank. Improvements worth $100 million would be included in the privatization, including the construction of a 2,250-seat grandstand on the location of the current backstretch, which is anticipated to open in 2013. After that, the current grandstand would remain in place until at least 2014 so that Super Bowl XLVIII may host events there.
The main (dirt) track at the Meadowlands is one mile (1,609 m) in circumference, similar to many other racetracks in the US. Concealed within is a 7 furlong (1,408 m) turf circuit that is reserved for thoroughbreds. The track is “typical” or “standard” for an American racetrack, measuring precisely 3⁽,16 miles (302 m) from the top of the stretch to the finish line and 1,16 miles (101 m) from the finish line to the start of the first (clubhouse) turn. The turf course is 80 feet (24 meters) wide, whereas the main track is 90 feet (27 meters) wide.
Night racing is possible on the track, and most races take place at this time.
The Philadelphia architectural firm EwingCole (now known as Ewing Cole Cherry Brott) designed the entire Meadowlands Racetrack, including the main building, horse barns, and surrounding area. They were also responsible for the design of Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia (with Populous) and several other track facilities worldwide.
Designed to mimic the state of New Jersey, there is a lake in the center of the track.
Off Track Betting Guides
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