Author: by Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

A 10-day vacation suited driver Andy McCarthy just fine, as the 37-year-old pilot returned from a family getaway in Costa Rica and won four races – from just 10 drives – on Saturday night (Dec. 30) at the Meadowlands, including the $27,500 distaff pacing feature.

The curtain has fallen on Dayton Raceway’s 10th racing season with records all around. Five track records were tied or broken, a repeat driving champion was crowned, the all-time single day handle record was set, and 2023 saw an increase in total handle for the fifth straight year.

Harness racing’s two top-ranked horses in the final Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll, No. 1 Confederate and No. 2 Sylvia Hanover, led the way when divisional Dan Patch Award honors for pacers and trotters were announced during a live presentation prior to Saturday’s (Dec. 30) card at the Meadowlands.

The third qualifying race for the Prix d’Amérique is the Prix de Bourgogne, which will take place Sunday afternoon (Dec. 31) at Vincennes.

He’zzz A Wise Sky and Marvelous Mystery concluded their 2023 campaigns with convincing repeat victories in their respective Open Paces on Friday night (Dec. 29) at Hawthorne.

David Glasser and Cote Keim won the final two Meadowlands Amateur Driving Club (MADC) races of 2023, held Friday (Dec. 29) at the Meadowlands, and they both came from off the pace in their respective upsets.

Brett Beckwith has been one of a handful of young drivers having an impact in the driver colony at the Meadowlands during the fall meeting, and the 20-year-old pilot kept rolling Friday night (Dec. 29), making three visits to the winner’s circle, including one with Splash Of Pink, who pulled off an upset in the $17,500 feature for 3-year-old pacing fillies.