from the Meadowlands Media Relations Department

East Rutherford, NJ — The Meadowlands is introducing a slate of Late Closers for the 2018 racing season. All are written with two legs and a final.

The first cluster will be raced in April and is for horses of all ages with separate events for pacing horses and mares that were non-winners of 6 extended p.m. or non-winners of $125,000 in 2017. The trotters will combine the sexes with the condition being for non-winners of 6 (F&M 8) extended p.m. or non-winners of $125,000 (F&M $150,000) in 2017.

The added money for each is $40,000 and the estimated final purse is $50,000. The conditions for these are through and including Dec. 31, 2017 and a nomination payment of $500 is due by Feb. 15 for this first group.

The second group of closers will be raced through the month of May and are restricted to 3-year-olds with a separate division dedicated to each gait and sex. The conditions for those events read non-winners of 2 extended p.m. races lifetime or $25,000 lifetime (winners of over $75,000 lifetime are ineligible).

Be aware that to help accommodate those horses that may have won second-tier state bred stakes at age two, a clause that states “State-bred wins for $10,000 or less first money not considered on wins” has been included in the conditions. These finals are at $30,000 added, estimated to be $40,000. The conditions are through and including March 15 and the $500 nomination deadline is the same date.

Questions should be directed to Meadowlands Race Secretary Peter Koch at 201.842.5130.