EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (August 4, 2016) – The Hambletonian and harness racing reached a massive audience when Meadowlands officials helped ring the closing bell at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square on Wednesday.
The ceremony was televised live on several financial television networks, reaching a worldwide audience. In addition, a video highlighting the Hambletonian was aired for one hour on the MarketSite's seven-story video screen in the middle of Times Square. The bell ringing ceremony was arranged through a partnership with ARK Restaurants, a Nasdaq listed company that provides the food and beverage service at the Meadowlands.
"I don't know if The Hambletonian or our sport has received this type of publicity in a long time," said Jason M. Settlemoir, COO/GM of the Meadowlands. "I have to thank Justin Horowitz for arranging this whole event and our partners at ARK for supporting our desire to promote harness racing to a worldwide audience."
After the bell ringing ceremony, Settlemoir and Horowitz participated in a Facebook Live chat hosted by Nasdaq on its Facebook page that has more than 621,000 likes. The chat focused on horse ownership and the prestige of the Hambletonian. The video may be viewed here: http://bit.ly/2aFX9GY
The Hambletonian is also getting attention thanks to a huge billboard in Manhattan at Seventh Avenue & 49th Street. The billboard has visibility from Central Park and should receive more than six million impressions during the week leading up to the Hambletonian.
Hambletonian Day is Saturday, August 6 with a 12:00 p.m. post time. Live network televisions coverage of the Hambletonian, Hambletonian Oaks, and U.S. Pacing Championship will air from 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
About Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment
Since 1976, the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, NJ, has been a staple in North American racing, known for events like the Hambletonian and Meadowlands Pace. In November 2013, managing partner Jeffrey Gural and The Hard Rock unveiled the newly constructed Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment. The state of the art complex features racing, entertainment, dining and more. Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment boasts year-round horse racing & simulcasting, Victory Sports Bar that doubles as an event space, a tiered dining restaurant Pink, corporate and private events spaces, as well as family-friendly Backyard activities. Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment creates an exciting environment that both racing and non-racing fans can enjoy. For more information on schedules and events, please visit: www.playmeadowlands.com or call 201-THE-BIG-M (201-843-2446).
About The Hambletonian
The $1 million Hambletonian, and the companion race for 3-year-old fillies, the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks, are the richest of their kind currently offered in harness racing, and among the richest worldwide, regardless of breed. The Hambletonian is the first leg of the trotting Triple Crown, followed by the Yonkers Trot on September 3 and Kentucky Futurity on October 9.
Justin Horowitz