from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Harness racing returns to the Meadowlands turf course for the first time in more than 30 years on Friday, June 26.

A field of eight pacers will take to the grass in the $15,000 third race. They will line up behind the mobile starting gate at 7:45 p.m. for the one-mile event, which was postponed from June 19 due to inclement weather.

The last time the Meadowlands held a turf race for Standardbred racehorses was the Coliseum Cup on June 21, 1978. It was a competition amongst racing’s Manzi family — patriarchs John Sr., Al and Richard, as well as cousins Steve, Richard Jr., Gary, John and Cat. Richard Manzi Jr. won the race with a pacer named El Nob in a time of 2:09.3.

While turf racing for Standardbreds is a rarity in the United States, it is common practice at United Kingdom and Down Under racetracks.

Chris Ryder, who will send out Onedin Legacy N from post one in the Friday feature, experienced grass racing in his native New Zealand.

“I’d say five to 10 percent of the races there now are on the grass,” noted Ryder, who was born in Greymouth, NZ. “It used to be more. Most of the racetracks that have a grass course also have a stone dust main track, and if it rains they move right to it. The races on grass usually go slower, especially if it is soft, but if it is hard they can really go. Horses like the grass. The way the race goes mostly depends on the condition of the track, but the turf course at the Meadowlands looks in good shape and the track is big enough to accommodate a full field.”

Although they are not represented in Friday night’s race, Meadowlands-based trainers Mark Harder and Kelvin Harrison also recall racing on the turf Down Under.

“There was no grass course to train on, unless you went to a county fair or something like that,” said Harder, who was born in Wellington, NZ. “You basically had to wing it. The one thing you might want to do here for a turf race is tighten up the hobbles a bit. This would help prevent some slipping and sliding.”

Harrison’s home track in New Zealand held three days of all turf cards each year.

“There’s not a whole lot of difference racing in the grass,” explained Harrison, originally from Methuen, NZ. “The races go slower, but it’s pretty standard. You take up the hobbles a bit. I wish I had one in the class to put in this week.”

Nick Santagata, the track’s all-time leading Thoroughbred jockey in wins, has the most experience racing over the Meadowlands turf course. He is a proponent of racing over grass vs. dirt.

“I love racing on the turf,” Santagata said. “If I could race every race on the turf I would. Nothing kicks back at you. It’s a little bit tighter racing, the turns are wider. You can’t lose ground and go wide though on the turf, or you’ll get nothing. It’s better on the horse, too. It doesn’t sting their feet or jar them as much as the main track. The speed doesn’t hold up as much as it does on the main track, so it makes for better racing for the fans.”

Race 3, Friday, June 26, $15,000 claiming pacers
PP, Horse, Driver, Trainer
1, Onedin Legacy N, Chris Ryder, Chris Ryder, 5-1
2, Nicky Hanover N, Tim Tetrick, Carmine Fusco, 4-1
3, Keepthepeace N, John Campbell, Vincent Fusco Jr., 6-1
4, View To A Kill, Shaun Vallee, Shaun Vallee, 12-1
5, Allamerican Champ, Donald Jacobs, Carrie Perry, 15-1
6, Born With Class, Yannick Gingras, Josh Green, 3-1
7, Diamond Jack, Ron Pierce, Michael Posner, 5-2
8, One Park Place, Andy Miller, Paul Blumenfeld, 10-1

Register now for Meadowlands/Mohawk Handicapping Challenge

Serious cash and a seat in the 2010 National Harness Handicapping Championship are up for grabs in the new Meadowlands/Mohawk Handicapping Challenge on Saturday, June 27.

The tournament, which showcases the C$1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup simulcast from Mohawk Racetrack, will be held in Raceworld Teletheater at the Meadowlands. Entry is just $100 ($50 entry fee, plus $50 tournament bankroll) and includes live and simulcast programs, a Harness Eye, dinner buffet, T-shirt and handicapping seminar with Dave Brower.

Prize payouts are to the Top 10 and players keep their bankroll. The winner receives a seat in the 2010 NHHC, harness racing’s only handicapping tournament with a $50,000 guaranteed prize pool, at the Meadowlands. To play, contestants must bet exactly 10 races: five each from the Meadowlands and Mohawk, including the C$1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup. Wagers must be win only, on one horse per race and meet a $5 minimum (no maximum).

Pre-registration is strongly recommended, as teletheater seating is available on a first come, first-served basis. A limited number of walk-ups will be taken on-track between 5 and 7 p.m.

Click here for an entry form.

Woodbine Entertainment Group’s Greenwood Teletheatre will hold a similar handicapping challenge Saturday, July 18, featuring the $1 million Meadowlands Pace.