from the Meadowlands Media Relations Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Racing from The Meadowlands returns on Friday (Jan. 6) with a 13-race card that offers full fields, guaranteed wagers and interesting match-ups.

You won’t have to wait long to see the night’s feature as the $18,000 top trotting class opens the card. It’s a well balanced field of seven with four of those coming in off wins in their most recent starts. Both Crosby’s Clam Bake and Opulent Yankee won last week in virtually identical times while Canadian Wildcat took a week off after an easy forwardly placed score on the class drop a fortnight past.

The enigmatic Muscle Diamond returns four weeks from his successful return to racing after losing virtually the entire 4-year-old season to injury. A contender for major stakes honors at age two and three, he has earned $620,000 in but 23 career starts with seven wins and 17 top three finishes.

Muscle Diamond was beautifully prepped by crafty veteran trainer Brett Bittle for his return to racing last month. The comeback score was a career best 1:53 win against a solid field, having but a single qualifier under his belt following a 12-month absence. Hall of Fame driver John Campbell has been the driver for the now 5-year-old son of Muscle Hill from day one and will be aboard on Friday for owners Charles Keller III, Charles Keller IV, Dan Bittle and Brett Bittle.

On the promotional front, cash prizes totaling $2,017 will be disbursed to lucky contestants and delightful dining options abound for the hungry horseplayer. Free program pages are available for the $50,000 guaranteed Late Pick-4 courtesy of The Meadowlands and TrackMaster.

Horseplayers should be advised that the first World Harness Handicapping Contest qualifier is next Saturday (Jan. 14) at The Meadowlands. Sign ups remain open to walk ups.

The Tattersalls January Select Mixed Sale comes up on Monday (Jan. 16), beginning promptly at 11 a.m. The catalog is teeming with solid prospects and established earners that would look good in your barn heading into the new season, so take a look and make plans to attend.

The fun starts Friday at 7:15 p.m.