Nominations are due Feb. 15 for the track's signature event for 3-year-old colt pacers, which will be raced Saturday, July 17. The cost to nominate a colt to the 2010 Pace is $1,050, reduced from $1,500 in previous years, while sustaining payments have been adjusted accordingly. The 2010 Meadowlands Pace will also feature a $100,000 guaranteed consolation race.
"We hope the reduction in fees and guaranteed consolation will spark an increase to the number of colts eligible to the Meadowlands Pace," said Racing Secretary Peter Koch. "Last year's event produced two elimination races, and we hope to increase that number this year."
Two new series for 3-year-old trotters will debut in May, the Mr Muscleman for colts and Windylane Hanover for fillies, with conditions restricted to non-winners of three races or $75,000 lifetime to February 1. The Blossom, Robert J. Suslow, Father Foley and SNY (formerly Fox Sports Net) series have been discontinued due to reduced participation over the last few years. Another change could be a shift of the four New Jersey Sire Stakes Championships for 2-year-olds to Meadowlands Pace Night.
The 2010 Harness Meet at Meadowlands Racetrack begins the first weekend of the New Year with 7 p.m. cards on Friday, January 1 and Saturday, January 2. Morning qualifiers are scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 22. A full stakes calendar will be released after the annual racing secretaries' meeting in December.