STANDARDBRED BREEDERS & OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY

Representing the drivers, trainers, caretakers, breeders and owners of New Jersey

64 Business Route 33

Manalapan, NJ 07726

Phone: 732-462-2357

Fax: 732-409-0741

STANDARDBRED BREEDERS & OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY

Representing the drivers, trainers, caretakers, breeders and owners of New Jersey

64 Business Route 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726 

Phone: 732-462-2357 | Fax: 732-409-0741

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HAMBO DAY HANDLE TOPS $7 MILLION AT BIG M

Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations • August 4, 2024

For the sixth time in the last seven years, all-source handle on the Hambletonian Day program at The Meadowlands topped $7 million, with the 2020 COVID-19 card the only one to fail to reach that plateau ...

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- August 3, 2024 -- For the sixth time in the last seven years, all-source handle on the Hambletonian Day program at The Meadowlands topped $7 million, with the 2020 COVID-19 card the only one to fail to reach that plateau.


Despite several downpours during the course of the day, a total of $7,427,223 -- an industry 2024 best -- was wagered on the blockbuster 16-race program Saturday at The Big M, good for an average per race of $464,201.

“To wager over $7 million again on the biggest and best harness card of the year in North America is something we are proud of,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “And that total takes into account only wagers made in North America. When the totals from Finland, France, Denmark, Norway and Sweden are added to our North American total, our grand total will be well in excess of $8 million.”


Business was predictably brisk on the Hambletonian itself, as $1,115,982 was pushed through the windows on the 99th edition of “America’s Trotting Classic”, the third year in a row where betting busted the million-dollar barrier.

Dave Miller and Nancy Takter walked away as the top dash-winning driver and trainer, respectively, at the Winter-Spring-Championship Meet, which spanned Jan. 5-Hambo Day, a total of 61 race cards.


Hall of Famer Miller, 59, claimed his first-ever outright top-driver crown. In 2003, “Purple Jesus” ended up tied atop the standings with Luc Ouellette.


Miller finished with 86 victories, 14 more than runner-up Andy McCarthy.


Takter, 43, whose barn is normally associated more with quality than with quantity, walked away with the dash-win crown despite registering only 93 starts entering the weekend. Her students won 36 times as she claimed her first Big M crown. Per Engblom was runner-up with 31 tallies.


THREE WEEKS OFF: The Meadowlands will now go dark for three weeks before returning for its yearly “Mini Meet,” when live racing will be conducted Aug. 30 and 31 and Sept. 6 and 7 at the normal 6:20 p.m. post time.

By Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager July 22, 2025
A total of 21 horses entered Tuesday for the 100th edition of the Hambletonian Stakes for 3-year-old trotters, resulting in three $83,550 eliminations on Saturday (July 26) at The Meadowlands ...
By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations July 20, 2025
Yo Tillie maintained her current standing as the top horse in her division and Onajetplane threw his hat into the ring as a Hambletonian contender Saturday night at The Meadowlands when four divisions of the Tompkins-Geers Stake were contested for 3-year-old trotters of each sex ...
By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations July 19, 2025
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- July 18, 2025 -- Be Perfect BG made good on her name Friday night at The Meadowlands, remaining unbeaten in four lifetime starts after taking the lone filly pace when seven $25,000 divisions of the second leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for 2-year-olds were contested for horses of each sex and gait ...
By Tim Bojarski, for Plainridge Park July 19, 2025
Twin B Joe Fresh, the 2024 Dan Patch Horse of the Year, will be making her first-ever appearance in Massachusetts on Sunday (July 20) when she ships to Plainridge Park to start in the $100,000 Grade 3 Clara Barton Distaff Pace ...
By Courtney Stafford July 18, 2025
The SBOANJ supplemental yearling nomination payments are due August 15th ...
By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations July 17, 2025
His horse didn’t cross the finish line first, but that was OK with trainer Cam Capone, whose Madden Oaks was placed first after Prince Hal Hanover was disqualified and placed second in Saturday (July 12) night’s $656,000 Meadowlands Pace for 3-year-olds at The Meadowlands ...
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