LAUREN TRITTON FIRST FEMALE DRIVER TO WIN THREE AT BIG M
The Meadowlands has been around for a half-century, so one would think that just about everything that can happen at a racetrack already has ...
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- August 28, 2025 -- The Meadowlands has been around for a half-century, so one would think that just about everything that can happen at a racetrack already has.
But last Saturday (Aug. 23), something special took place when Lauren Tritton became the first female driver in the history of the mile oval to win three races on a Big M card.
“That’s pretty cool,” said Tritton, whose husband Shane trained all of the horses that Lauren piloted to victory. “It’s actually mind-blowing that a woman, in all of those years, hasn’t done that. I’m pretty proud of myself, to be honest.”
To Lauren, having a big night in the sulky isn’t something new. When she and Shane were back home in Australia, they, at one point, had 93 horses in their stable, and Lauren was the driver in the family.
“I drove on the Grand Circuit when I was 17,” said Lauren, 31. “I’ve been doing it since I was young.”
Before coming to the States just as COVID-19 was shutting down the world, Lauren had much on her resume to brag about. She once won seven races on a card at Australia’s Newcastle Harness Racing Club track and on 28 occasions had won four or more races on a single program.
But that part of her career – despite her sensational Saturday – is behind her now.
“Back home, I just drove,” said Lauren. “I came over here with the mindset that I was going to hang the boots up and focus on training. With two kids (Levi, 8, and Emily, 4), I made a deal that I would be more present for them, that I would pack that career away and focus more on training and I was happy to do that.
“I committed myself fully 100 percent back home to driving and I’m the sort of person that I have to commit myself to something 100 percent or else I won’t do it, and I feel like I wouldn’t be able to do my best work here without committing myself, and if I commit myself, I’d be pulling myself away from my family, and my family is very important to me.”
All three of Lauren’s winners went off at odds of 4-1 or greater. These were her impressions:
· Rydingtothewire (1st race, mile time 1:52, paid $15.80 to win) – “I was told he had a really quick turn of foot. We made a couple of equipment changes and I was pretty confident, actually. I thought he was the best bet of the night, but no one asked me about him.”
· Springsteen (6th, 1:51.2, $10.40) – “We call him Bruce. I think he wins once a year just to make himself known in the stable so he can stay for another year. He’s a pet of mine. He shocked us the other night with the way he won. He will not pass a horse on the outside but will go up the inside every week.”
· Hypebeast (12th, 1:51.2, $16.60) – “He was a sneaky one. He had a perfect run. He didn’t have to pull out until halfway down the stretch.”
Lauren came close to winning four for a 29th time, but Nandolo N came up just short at odds of 11-1 in the fourth race.
“It was cool to crack the million-dollar earnings mark with him,” said Lauren. “He’s getting older now and he’s not as sharp as what he was but I really enjoy driving him. I think if he had gotten out earlier, he would have won on Saturday.”
So, after that big night, we’re talking about Lauren Tritton returning to catch-driving, right?
“No, we are not!” said Lauren, both emphatically and playfully. “And there’s no convincing me otherwise. I have devoted myself to my family and my business. I just feel like I’ve already done the things I wanted to do as a driver.”
Well, she did manage to do one more thing last week.
Make history.
FRIDAY IS FABULOUS: The Friday night card at The Meadowlands has stars at the start and stars at the finish, and in the middle of it all, is the $117,500 feature, the Girl Power for 4-to-6-year-old mare trotters, featuring three-time defending Dr. John Steele winner M-M’s Dream, 2024 Hambletonian Oaks champion Warrawee Michelle as well as Hambletonian Maturity winner Elista Hanover.
During the night, there are eight New Jersey Classic eliminations spread over the card as well as a pair of NJC preps. Some of the headliners include Sugar Packet (winner of the Peaceful Way), Yo Tillie (a perfect six-for-six this year), Conversano (Hambletonian Oaks), Captain Optimistic (Cane Pace), Smooth Dream (a perfect eight-for-eight this year at The Meadowlands) and Apex (New Jersey Sire Stakes final).
SATURDAY IS SUPER: The eighth edition of the 2025 Meadowlands Monthly Handicapping Contest takes place on Saturday (Aug. 30), and offers players a chance to win a share of $1,000 in prize money.
Contest format:
· Contestants must be on-site to participate
· Contestants must buy a $100 betting card to participate
· Contestants must bet a minimum of five Meadowlands races
· There is no minimum or maximum bet per race
· Contestants can play any wager(s) on The Meadowlands live wagering menu
· Contestants keep all pari-mutuel winnings
· Contestants can enter as many times as they wish
· The top two finishers earn spots in the $10,000 end-of-the-year contest
Remaining contest schedule:
· Saturday, August 30
· Saturday, October 25
· Friday, November 21
· The $10,000 invitation-only final is on Saturday, December 13
Previous players that have qualified for the December contest are Nick Montemurro and Gary Scogna (the top two finishers from January); Michael Grasso and Montemurro (February); Sean Loebs and Joe Barre (March); Robert Glaser and Jim Bohnarczyk (April); Karen Fossli and Russ Slader (May); Del Kern and Scogna (June); and Fossli and Montemurro (July).
Complete contest rules and regulations can be found here.
To participate, players must be 18 years of age or older to wager on racing. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please get help at 1-800-GAMBLER.
THE MOOSE IS LOOSE: This weekend, track announcer Ken Warkentin, simulcast show host Dave Little and back paddock interviewer/FanDuel TV commentator Joe Romanelli will be in their usual roles on the nightly broadcast that gets underway at 5:45 p.m. There will, however, be different faces in the co-host chair.
On Friday, Derick Giwner, the editor at DRF Harness, will sit alongside Little on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set as they tackle the New Jersey Classic card. Giwner was recently elected to the Communicators Hall of Fame.
A new face to The Meadowlands show – but not local TV viewers – will be in the hot seat Saturday, as Marc Malusis, the sports anchor on the 5, 6 and 11 p.m. news and host of NY Sports Nation Nightly on PIX11, will make his on-set debut offering his selections and commentary.
A PAIR OF NINES: Saturday night was a big one for Little and Romanelli, as each tabbed nine winners on the 15-race card.
Little’s followers hit big as the Big M TV veteran’s highlight winners included Fearless Fury (2nd race, $6.80 to win), value play On Heir (5th, $3.80), Springsteen (6th, $10.40) and best bet Super Duper Cooper (15th, $4.60).
In addition, Little gave out a $36 Early 50-cent Pick-4 ticket, which resulted in a $383 hit, good for a profit of $347.
Romanelli’s nine-bagger included Watch Em Win, who returned $7 to win in the 10th race.
THE SCHEDULE: In a departure of what usually takes place after Hambletonian Day, racing will continue at The Big M on a Friday-Saturday basis through Sept. 13. Post time will be the normal 6:20 p.m.
A GREAT WAY TO PLAY: Every night, The Meadowlands offers a marvelous menu of popular wagers that offer a low 15 percent takeout.
Here is the rundown of what will be offered this weekend:
· Races 1-5: 20-cent Pick-5
· Races 3-9: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 (mandatory payout nightly)
· Races 6-9: Early 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
· Races 8-13: 20-cent Pick-6
· Races 10-13: Late 50-cent Pick 4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
· Race 14: 10-cent non-jackpot Pentafecta (Hi-5)
WHAT? THEY’RE FREE? To show appreciation to its loyal fan base, The Meadowlands offers free program pages for every race of every race card on its website.
Go to playmeadowlands.com, then click on the “news” dropdown to get the past performances at absolutely no cost.
A NATIONAL PRESENCE: For a fifth consecutive year, the TV teams at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and The Meadowlands are combining forces to bring high-caliber harness racing stakes events to a coast-to-coast audience over the networks of FOX Sports as part of NYRA’s “America’s Day at the Races” telecasts.
The next broadcast will be Friday, Sept. 5, when the New Jersey Classic Series finals take center stage.
Here is the schedule for the remaining FOX Sports shows, with the event(s) that will be featured and the time the show will be broadcast. Which FOX network the show can be found on – Fox 5 New York (locally), FS1 or FS2 – will be determined:
· September 5 – New Jersey Classic Series finals, 8-11 p.m., TBA
· November 1 – Kindergarten finals, 8-11 p.m., TBA
· November 15 – Fall Final Four, 8-11 p.m., TBA
A SOCIAL SETTING: Everything Meadowlands is available by going on X. You can check in with the Big M team for early changes, racing information and staff selections by going to @themeadowlands or #playbigm.
Stay in touch with The Big M talent duo of Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).
TIME TO PARTY: Looking to book a corporate event or private party? The Meadowlands has unlimited event possibilities. The redesigned Gallery with multiple TVs, private bar and balcony overlooking the FanDuel Sportsbook is perfect for game days, watch parties and more.
To book your private party, email alokshin@playmeadowlands.com.
FABULOUS FANDUEL: Meadowlands regulars know that if they want action on professional and college sports, all they have to do is head for the FanDuel Sportsbook, which is the No. 1 facility of its kind in all of North America.
It couldn’t be easier to access, as it’s located inside the grandstand at The Big M.
The book has massive TV screens and self-service betting terminals, which enable fans to watch and wager in comfort while having some great food and drink.
On Thursday (Aug. 28), the New York Mets host the Miami Marlins in a 7:10 p.m. start at CitiField.
The Mets are a heavy -250 favorite in the game that has an under/over of 8½ runs.
The New York Yankees travel to the Windy City to take on the Chicago White Sox in a 7:40 p.m. game.
The Bronx Bombers are a -190 favorite in the game that has an under/over of 9 runs.
Whatever the sport, for the latest odds, go here.
The FanDuel Sportsbook is open for business Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. – 1 a.m.; and Sunday 8 a.m. – midnight.
