EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – It was another big Saturday night at the Meadowlands, as for the third time this year, harness racing wagering surpassed the magic $3 million mark at the industry's handle leader.
Betting was consistent throughout the 12-race card, with only one race failing to reach the $200,000 mark. The third race saw the biggest pool of the night, $319,684, while the eighth was a close second, at $318,041.
The total handle for the card was $3,036,706, which works out to an average of $253,058 per race.
The other two $3 million nights came on March 3, when betting was a 2018-high $3.45 million, and on March 24, when $3.08 million was pushed through the windows.
BURKE THE BIG MAN: Ron Burke was the big man on campus for the night, training four winners on the program, including two victories in pacing series action.
Burke's Windsong Leo was the recipient of a perfect pocket trip from driver Jim Marohn Jr. on the way to taking the first leg of the Whata Baron for horses and geldings who are non-winners of six races.
The 6-year-old gelded son of Jereme's Jet won by three-quarters of a length over Barimah A, completed the mile in a lifetime-best 1:50.2 and paid $5.00 to win as the public choice.
Betterhaveanother ($4.80 as the second choice) scored for Burke in the second division of the first leg of the Burning Point for fillies and mares (also NW of 6) with Brett Miller at the controls. The 6-year-old daughter of Bettor's Delight held off 6-5 favorite Valuable Art by a head in 1:51.3.
Apple Bottom Jeans ($5.20 as the second choice) took the opening division of the Burning Point with Delaware regular Victor Kirby driving. The 5-year-old daughter of Mr Apples, trained by Kevin Switzer, was 2½ lengths clear of Stormtracker at the finish in a lifetime-best equaling 1:50.3. Even-money choice Windsun Glory was fourth.
A LITTLE MORE:
When Rockinwiththebest scored in the third race at odds of 33-1, the stage was set for a giant 50-Cent Pick-5 payoff. The bet spans races 3 through 7, and when the dust cleared, those holding winning tickets walked away with a cool $21,359.40. … Leading driver Marohn and Andrew McCarthy both drove three winners on the card. … Racing resumes at the Big M Friday at 7:15 p.m.
Stuckey & Murphy Qualify for the $75,000 World Harness Handicapping Championship
The last two qualifying spots for the $75,000 World Harness Handicapping Championship were awarded to Lee Stuckey of Newark, NJ and John Murphy of East Lyme, CT in Saturday’s Last Chance Qualifier.
The format required players to place a minimum of 5 $10 Win wagers on Meadowlands races.
64 players have already qualified for the WHHC Final through the Meadowlands, DerbyWars.com and partner outlets: Vernon Downs, Tioga Downs, TROT Fantasy, Buffalo Raceway.
The World Harness Handicapping Championship presented by DerbyWars.com is scheduled for Saturday, April 28, 2018 at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment and has a guaranteed prize pool of $75,000.
The WHHC is a one-day tournament, with a welcome reception the evening prior. Players that did not earn a seat through a qualifying event can directly buy-in for $1,000. The WHHC contest format requires players to bet 10 races: their choice of seven Meadowlands races, plus three designated mandatory races from Buffalo, Vernon Downs and the Meadowlands. Players keep all pari-mutuel winnings. Prize payouts are to the Top 10.
Players interested in purchasing a buy-in into the World Harness Handicapping Championship presented by DerbyWars.com can visit http://playmeadowlands.com/
By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations