The grandest of harness racing events, the Breeders Crown, takes place this weekend (Oct. 25-26) at the sport’s grandest venue, The Meadowlands, as the 12 finals for horses of all ages, sexes and gaits will battle it out in front of a national television audience on Fox Sports for purses totaling $7.296 million.
Live racing will be conducted on both Friday and Saturday at The Big M with a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m. Both programs will have 14 races.
“The Breeders Crown World Championships at The Meadowlands take an international stage this weekend on Fox Sports,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “Horses, owners, trainers and drivers from around the world will meet, and everything, most notably Horse of the Year and divisional honors, will be on the line.”
The first of two Breeders Crown finals shows will be telecast Friday on Fox Sports 1 (FS1) from 8-11 p.m., while the Saturday broadcast can be seen on FS2 from 7:30-11 p.m. Acacia Clement and Paul Verderosa will anchor both shows from The Meadowlands while selections, analysis and interviews will be provided by Meadowlands’ TV talent Jessica Otten and Red Mile jack-of-all-trades Gabe Prewitt.
THE LINEUP: These are the 12 Breeders Crown races that will be contested this Friday (Oct. 25) and Saturday (Oct. 26):
FRIDAY:
Race 6 – $700,000 – 2-Year-Old Filly Trot (post time, 8:15 p.m.)
Race 7 – $700,000 – 2-Year-Old Filly Pace (8:40 p.m.)
Race 8 – $700,000 – 2-Year-Old Colts & Geldings Trot (9:15 p.m.)
Race 10 – $700,000 – 2-Year-Old Colts & Geldings Pace (10:10 p.m.)
SATURDAY:
Race 4 – $496,000 – Open Mares Trot (post time, 7:25 p.m.)
Race 5 – $600,000 – 3-Year-Old Filly Trot (7:48 p.m.)
Race 6 – $600,000 – 3-Year-Old Filly Pace (8:15 p.m.)
Race 7 – $600,000 – 3-Year-Old Colts & Geldings Trot (8:40 p.m.)
Race 8 – $600,000 – Open Pace (9:15 p.m.)
Race 9 – $600,000 – Open Trot (9:42 p.m.)
Race 10 – $600,000 – 3-Year-Old Colts & Geldings Pace (10:10 p.m.)
Race 11 – $400,000 – Open Mares Pace (10:38 p.m.)
THAT’S A GUARANTEE: The wagering menu for the Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands will undoubtedly fire up the mile oval’s loyal fan betting base, as there will be $300,000 in guaranteed pools up for grabs on the track’s most popular multi-leg wager.
On both Friday and Saturday, the Early Pick-4 is guaranteed at $100,000 while the Late P4 will be at least $50,000.
Here is a look at what bettors can expect night in and night out when playing Meadowlands’ races for the foreseeable future. These wagers sport a low 15 percent takeout:
20-cent Pick-5: Race 1-5
20-cent Survivor Pick-7: Races 3-9
50-cent Pick-4: Races 6-9
20-cent Pick-6: Races 8-13
50-cent Pick 4: Races 10-13
10-cent Pentafecta (Hi-5): Race 14
The Meadowlands has added two superfectas to each card. There will now be 10 superfecta opportunities on 14-race programs. The minimum wager in one thin dime.
BREEDERS CROWN DINING: Time is running short to get your dining reservations for the Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands.
Pink Restaurant’s buffet on Friday night features shrimp cocktail, gouda-stuffed arancini and grilled Caesar salad. Guests can also dine on a chili-rubbed NY strip, baked Mahi Mahi with a lemon dill sauce and moist carrot cake. Friday’s menu is $74.95 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
Saturday’s buffet is $79.95 plus tax and gratuity and is highlighted by a seafood tower filled with shrimp, clams, oysters and crab legs. Other menu features include lobster bisque, roasted ribeye and sweet-and-sour chicken.
Reservations can be made by calling 201-THE-BIGM (201-843-2446). All reservations must be prepaid.
Guests looking for ala carte dining can head to the second-floor Lounge, which is the place to be to watch and wager all the racing and the day’s sports action. Guests can dine on delicious Victory Sports Bar fare, which includes wings, burgers, lobster mac and cheese, salads, wraps and more. The purchase price is a food credit that will be applied to the food and beverage bill. Tax and gratuity are not included in this credit and are additional.
Available Seating/Dining Options for purchase include:
Grandstand Bar Seat: $50 per seat
Grandstand Lounge Table: $100 per two-person table; $200 for a four-person table.
Grandstand Lounge Couch: $200 per two-person section, complete with couch.
Tables are now available for purchase at https://www.playmeadowlands.events/event-details/bc-dining-tickets.
POWERHOUSE PROMOTIONS: This year’s Breeders Crown finals weekend feature special promotions and events to complement the great racing.
Friday’s promotions include:
$1,200 Halloween Costume Contest (Sign up from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse Lobby with judging in the Winner’s Circle following Race 4. First Prize: $500; 2nd place: $250; 3rd place: $100; 4th place: $50. Bonus categories: $100 for Scariest; $100 for funniest; $100 for best horse-themed costume)
Tote Machine Payout (Guests who use any self-service tote machine between 6:15 and 11 p.m. are eligible to win. Voucher values from $2-$500. Voucher prizes based on the overall number of wagers made in the entire facility on self-service machines. Must be present at The Meadowlands to participate.)
Saturday’s promotions:
$1,200 Breeders Crown Hat Contest (Sign up from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse Lobby with judging in the Winner’s Circle following Race 4. First Prize: $500; 2nd place: $250; 3rd place: $100; 4th place: $50. Bonus categories: $100 for Scariest; $100 for funniest; $100 for best horse-themed costume)
$10,000 Handicapping Contest ($100 betting card purchase required at contest check-in. Entry includes a live racing program. Format: Contestants must bet a minimum of five Meadowlands races. No minimum and no maximum bet per race. Open to any wager on the Meadowlands live wagering menu. This includes W/P/S, Exacta, Trifecta, Pick 3/4/5/6, Daily Double and Superfecta wagers. Contestants keep all pari-mutuel winnings. Unlimited entries allowed per person. Payouts: 1st – $2,500; 2nd – $2,000; 3rd – $1,250; 4th – $1,000; 5th – $750; 6th-10th – $500)