by Chris Tully, for the Hambletonian Society

East Rutherford, NJ — When the gates open at 10 a.m. this Saturday morning (Aug. 3) at Meadowlands Racetrack for the Hambletonian Day celebration and action-packed harness racing, fans will be able to purchase blueberries, the state fruit of New Jersey, in a number of styles.

Harness horse owner and blueberry farmer Bill Augustine has donated nearly half of a ton of his Winners Circle Blueberries to the Harness Horse Youth Foundation. Grown in Hammonton, N.J., the ‘Blueberry Capital of the World,’ Augustine’s berries will be sold by the HHYF youth council participants, with all of the proceeds going toward future equine youth programs.

“We are honored that Mr. Augustine has chosen HHYF as the beneficiary of his generosity,” stated executive director Ellen Taylor. “It is a great way for the public to see firsthand the enthusiasm and quality of the young people we are producing thorough our programs.”

HHYF youth council kids with light blue T-shirts will be cheerfully selling packages of blueberries for one dollar each. With tents set up in paddock park, adjacent to the Kahuna Wedge, race fans will be able to get a healthy, Jersey fresh snack while they watch the races with friends and family.

The HHYF youth council evolved from the combined ideas and efforts of recent Harness Racing Youth Camp program graduates who sought more involvement and service within the Standardbred sport. The council was developed as a way to not only re-connect with former campmates, but also to help raise awareness about the program.

“These kids are incredible. They devised the idea of a youth council all on their own. They hooked up with their friends in the program and have attained a level of commitment and enthusiasm that the entire industry should be proud of,” noted Taylor.

If the program’s past performances are any indication, HHYF graduates could be well-positioned for future harness racing success. Mike Mancini, a 2003 program grad, under the tutelage of George Ducharme, is now the second trainer for Royalty For Life, one of the favorites for this year’s $1.2 million Hambletonian.

This year’s Hambletonian festival also has a blueberry treat for adults looking for a unique celebratory beverage. Linda Hull, the track’s Food and Beverage Director, was inspired to create the special ‘Hambletonian Heat’ cocktail after sampling some Winners Circle Blueberries earlier in the race meet.

“Mr. Augustine had donated enough packages of his Winners Circle Blueberries for every patron in the clubhouse almost every race night since mid-May. Since Market Share won the Hambletonian last year, and Bill Augustine was part-owner, we felt that it was only appropriate to honor the Hambo-Blueberry connection with its own drink,” said Hull.

Hull went on to describe the creation.

“It starts with muddled blueberries, compliments of Bill Augustine, adds lemonade, and gets topped off with chipotle vodka. A truly refreshing, truly New Jersey cocktail.”

Meadowlands Marketing Manager Rachel Ryan could not agree more.

“The addition of blueberries to our signature Hambletonian Day drink is a perfect match of Jersey fresh fruit and summertime refreshment.”

Ryan should know; she is working her tenth consecutive Hambletonian in the Meadowlands marketing department. The ‘Hambletonian Heat’ drink will be available at all of the bars and restaurants throughout all floors of the grandstand this weekend, as well as Pegasus, Terraces and Paddock Park.