June - July 2021 Volume 46 Issue 3 PACESThe OfficialETTER Newsletter of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of NJ PRESIDENT’S LETTER Dear Members, This year the Meadowlands Pace was very eventful both on and off the race track. With the Fox Sports 2 presentation, the four races that were televised live provided great examples of how competitive and unpredictable harness racing can be. The total handle for the 14-race program was $4,503,213, for only the second time in the last 13 years, where Pace Night wagering was over the $4.5-million mark. The Pace itself took in $677,992, the most action on the event in a decade. Inside Governor Phil Murphy not only attended the Meadowlands Pace but also sat down for an interview with Gabe Prewitt, during the Fox Sports 2 live broadcast. this issue: In his interview, the governor stated that New Jersey is in full support of harness rac- ing. He also spoke about the appropriations and how he has seen the positive influence 2 Baby Races they have had on our industry. He made it very clear that he intends on supporting our industry going forward. I would also like to mention the recent purse increases at the Meadowlands for over- night races, and thank Mr. Jeff Gural for the statement that he made during his Hall Of 3 4th Quarter Fame acceptance speech were he declared that a considerable amount of money will be added to the purse account from sports betting going forward. Marketing Hired I am happy to say that 2021 continues to bring good news for the harness racing industry. Thank you all that have supported us and especially those that attended and or donated 4 COVID Comeback to the SBOANJ Golf Outing we really appreciate everyone of you. Clear at Big M Mark Ford 5 2021 Stakes Dates 6 SBOANJ Annual Golf Outing 7 Burke and Gingras Picked as HOF Candidates ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR OF BABY RACES AT GAITWAY FARM AND MAGICAL ACRES Gaitway Farm and Magical Acres hosted their annual baby It was the first glimpse of this years freshman competitors. races and qualifiers this June. Gaitway hosted the four Mon- Thanks to 412 Communications spectators were able to view days in June while Magical Acres hosted every Wednesday. the live stream from the comfort of their own home. Boudoir Hanover wins at Gaitway Farm trainer Tony Alagna driver Andrew McCarthy Pink Coco Chanel wins at Gaitway Farm trainer Tony Alagna driver Andrew McCarthy Laws Of Motion wins at Gaitway Farm trainer Julie Miller driver Andy Miller Wehadababyetzaboy wins at Gaitway Farm trainer Ron Burke driver Yannick Gingras Heartbreak Hotel wins at Magical Acres trainer Nifty Norman driver Dexter Dunn Bully Boy Hill wins at Magical Acres trainer Nifty Norman driver Dexter Dunn Pebble Beach wins at Magical Acres Trainer Noel Daley driver Todd McCarthy Stamped By Lindy wins at Magical Acres Trainer Noel Daley driver Andrew McCarthy 2 4TH QUARTER MARKETING HIRED TO MARKET “SEASON OF CHAMPIONS” Harness racing’s two biggest events — the Hambletonian and Axiom Communications, which produced many of the region- Breeders Crown — are both at Meadowlands Racing & Enter- al events and programs as the region’s Marketing Liaison to tainment this August and October, extending a potent cham- Super Bowl 48, will be performing a similar role here, and pionship season that will feature the sport’s biggest stars and has envisioned several major activations that will invite racing largest audience. devotees and casual fans to be part of the event series. “The Meadowlands Sports Complex, overlooking the New “Pairing harness racing’s national championship, the Breeders York City skyline, is the leading sports destination in the world Crown, with its signature race, the Hambletonian, is a rare and the ideal location to host a concentration of major racing occurrence and the perfect opportunity to once again demon- events this fall,” said John Campbell, president of the Hamble- strate that the Meadowlands region and the state of New Jer- tonian Society and the all-time leading money-winning driver. sey know how to host and promote premier sports events,” said Vuono. “Meadowlands Racing is the leading venue for har- The Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New ness racing in North America, and being able to showcase the Jersey and the Hambletonian Society have hired 4th Quar- Hambletonian and the Breeders Crown back-to-back is the ul- ter Marketing to help secure broadcast rights and coordinate timate engagement opportunity for fans and sponsors.” sponsorship activations. “This is like the Olympics of harness racing because you’re 4th Quarter Marketing is a newly formed, community-based getting all the best athletes in the sport in one place and it only venture headed by Frank Vuono, partner in Rutherford based happens every four years,” said Kirkos. “We’re thrilled to roll 16W Marketing, LLC. Vuono is a former NFL marketing ex- out the red carpet and offer a Meadowlands warm welcome ecutive and former principal of Integrated Sports Internation- to all the drivers, trainers and fans of the sport. We will show al and SFX Sports. He will be collaborating with Jim Kirkos, them a great time while they’re here with the diverse array of President and CEO for the Meadowlands Chamber and Mead- entertainment, dining and hospitality options that the Mead- owlands Live CVB which has played an instrumental role in owlands region has to offer.” securing and marketing internationally-known sporting and entertainment events including Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014, Hambletonian Day 2021 is on Saturday (Aug. 7) and the Breed- several WrestleMania events, and the upcoming FIFA World ers Crown elimination events are on Friday (Oct. 22) and Sat- Cup final match. The Chamber currently represents more than urday (Oct. 23) and the final races are on Friday (Oct. 29) and 1,000 local businesses. Saturday (Oct. 30). SIEGELMAN STABLE APPAREL AND THE HAMBLETONIAN SOCIETY PARTNER ON LIMITED COLLECTION Siegelman Stable apparel and the Hambletonian Society have partnered to create a unique collaboration collection for Hambletonian 2021. The collaboration will drop on 7/30 at Siegelman Stable Pop-up in Brooklyn. Max Siegelman, son of trainer Robbie Siegelman who founded Siegelman Racing Stable in 1982, launched Siegelman Stable sportswear in June 2020. Max works at OUTFRONT Media as head of social media and collaborations, in addition, privately as a creative consultant for music artists, athletes and other celebrities. Siegelman Stable sportswear has been spotted on Post Malone, a number of NBA players, in Future’s latest music video and more. It has also been featured as a brand to watch in 2021 by Complex Magazine. 3 COVID COMEBACK CLEAR AT THE MEADOWLANDS While the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic a per race of $256,302. on the handle numbers during 2020 at The Meadowlands were not unexpected, what has come as a pleasant sur- “The graphic (see attached) and statistics show the dam- prise to Big M management is how business has come age caused by the worldwide pandemic,” said track Chief back during 2021. Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlem- oir. “It also shows how New Jersey racing has come back A look at the mile oval’s business through the first six strong in 2021. months of each of the last four years illustrate how sol- id betting has been during the current season. In 2018, “So often, it’s hard to quantify results. In this case, it’s business was slow by Meadowlands’ standards, as a total obvious that the pandemic knocked us down in 2020, of $110.1 million was wagered over 52 race cards (539 since we were able to conduct only 29 programs through races), good for an average of $2.1 million a night and the first half of the year. It’s also obvious that New Jer- $204,367 per race. sey racing has gotten back up and put up giant numbers during 2021.” Except for considerably less race cards due to the pan- demic last year, 2019 and 2020 were similar from a busi- Settlemoir doesn’t mind acknowledging that the Gar- ness perspective, as nightly handle averaged $2.7 million den State’s political machine played a role in how good both years, while there was only a slight difference in things are. the per race, where 2019 ($213,592) was slightly better than 2020 ($211,009). “It is also obvious how far New Jersey and The Meadow- lands have come with the help of Gov. [Phil] Murphy and Enter 2021. Through June 30, a total of $169 million the New Jersey State Legislature,” said Settlemoir. “Total has been pushed through the windows over 51 programs handle and handle per program through June 30 have (660 races), an average daily handle of $3.3 million and increased more than 50 percent since 2018.” 2020 GRAND CIRCUIT AWARD WINNERS Nick Salvi, Jason Settlemoir and John Campbell present awards to Nancy Takter, Yannick Gingras and Shannon Murphy (for Burke Stable) Photo Lisa Photo 4 DATE DAY TRACK EVENT PURSE 26 -2021 JUN SAT SBOANJMEADOWLANDS SPONSOREDHOME GROWN 2CP RACES$40,000 26DATE - JUN DAYSAT MEADOWLANDSTRACK HOMEEVENT GROWN 2FP $40,000PURSE 266 - - AUG JUN SATFRI MEADOWLANDS GARDENHOME GROWN STATE 2CP2CT $40,000$60,000 266 - - AUG JUN SATFRI MEADOWLANDS GARDENHOME GROWN STATE 2FP2FT $40,000$60,000 106 -- AUGSEPT FRI MEADOWLANDSFREEHOLD GARDEN STATE 2CT3FT $60,000$50,000 186 -- AUGSEPT FRI MEADOWLANDSFREEHOLD GARDEN STATE 3CT2FT $60,000$50,000 1025 - SEPT SATFRI FREEHOLD GARDENHOME GROWN STATE 3FP3FT $50,000$40,000 1825 - SEPT SATFRI FREEHOLD GARDENHOME GROWN STATE 3CP3CT $50,000$40,000 251 - OCTSEPT SATFRI FREEHOLD 2021 Stakes ScheduleHOMENJ FUTURITY