For photos from the Meadowlands contact Lisaphoto@playmeadowlands.com

Friday, May 8, 2015

Friday Briefs

With a year of racing under saddle racing in Ontario under their belt, the ORC has tightened up the rules concerning the sport, lowering qualifying standards and requiring riders to qualify in more races before being eligible to compete.

Nuncio has taken to racing in Sweden having won two races there since leaving our shores for greener pastures, his latest victory came yesterday in the Weherstephaner-Dartste.  Depending on how he does in his next start, he may punch himself a ticket to the Elitlopp.


New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney is getting cold feet about having a referendum to expand casino gambling in New Jersey this year.  Sweeney has expressed concern it would be better to hold the referendum during a Presidential election where more people will be going to the polls instead this year, with a much lower turnout.  Considering the polls and who typically votes in off year elections, Sweeney may very well be right.  My suspicion is a vote on a gambling referendum in New Jersey this year would end in disaster.


Want to check out a fun site related to harness racing?  Visit www.heathervitale.com, a site developed by Heather Vitale.  If there is a chief-cheerleader for harness racing, it is Heather Vitale who lives and breathes harness racing.


It's undeniable that the quality of the overnight racing at the Meadowlands has dropped with $10,000 claimers and the like racing there.  However, when it comes to stakes races,  they still draw a good field.  On Saturday night, there is a prep race for the AJ Cutler Memorial which has horses with blue-blood pedigree.  Make sure you catch the 6th race on Saturday evening.


Inquiring minds want to know why if Thunder Ridge Raceway can list their handle for their individual pools in each race, which was a total of $28 for their six race card yesterday, why other tracks refuse to break their information down and report it to the USTA?  Bettors are entitled to see how deep their pools are.  What do they have to lose?  They never will be as bad as Thunder Ridge.



Have a great weekend everyone.

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