In the past, I've written several columns at this time of year about the confluence of harness racing and Christmas in popular culture – in music, film and even commercials. But I had never really taken a look at what tracks actually do to attract fans during this time of year. So, with a quick nod to Shane MacGowan, who passed away last month, here we go. In the classic Christmas song "Fairytale of New York," MacGowan, the lead singer of The Pogues, starts the second verse with the line "Got on a lucky one, came in 18-1." When I worked at Northfield Park, I would work a half-day on Christmas Eve and then head out to the simulcast carrels for the traditional Monticello matinee card before heading home. Those were the days when Thenitebeforexmas would race on the day card before Christmas (he was 0-for-2, btw). While Monticello is closed on December 24 now, we still have two options in Harrah's Philadelphia and Cumberland this year, though no tracks are open for racing on Christmas day. The day after discussing the promotions idea with Editor Derick, I got my MGM Northfield Park Christmas mailer, a glorious full-color 11x17 folded piece dedicated exclusively to racing. Northfield's Michael Carter told me the brochure, full of coupons and promoting special events, went to all the track's Player's Club members. I belong to the Player's Club but have not used my card in years since most of my wagers are now placed at bets.drf.com. Clearly, Northfield's strategy was to entice everyone who had taken the time to sign up for a card, whether a casual player or dyed-in-the-wool stalwart, to come out to the track. Twelve coupons began on December 12 (free live program) and run through December 23 (free $2 wager). Other perks include free trifecta, Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers, free coffee or soda, and free simulcast programs. The mailer also teased the Boxing Day 4-of-4 challenge, with a $1,000 prize and the weekly Sunday handicapping contest that kicks off in January. But the feature promotion, as it has been since the turn of the Millennium, is the track's Santa Sack promotion, featuring the jolly old elf himself. Or at least featuring one of his assistants, and several years that role was filled by yours truly, the track's Jewish publicist. Some years Santa would drive a pacer or trotter around the track a couple times, departing in the winner's circle with a bag full of candy canes for the kids. Other years, Santa was the special guest on-air handicapper. This year, Santa Sack was held on December 16. It included a Santa Reindeer Race with cash prizes, "Pick A Present" prize drawings, Ohio Lottery-sponsored giveaways of lottery tickets and $2 match play coupons, with the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association getting in on the action too with their Holiday Giveaway, which they also contested a week earlier at Hollywood Dayton. The promotion is simple. Patrons' names are called and they draw a horse in the designated race (five races were selected). The fan with the winning horse wins a 55" TV, two tickets to a Browns game (Reds game at Dayton), a Roku stick and one-month subscription to RTN. The rest of the "field" gets the consolation prize of a $50 betting voucher. ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter At The Meadows, the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association celebrates Christmas on Friday, December 22 with free Meadows racing swag and a free $5 betting voucher along with the purchase of a live racing program. the Meadowlands has taken a different tactic, with a month-long program of events that appeal more to the general public than to the horseplayer. The New Jersey track also adds a charitable element, sponsoring a Toys for Tots campaign through December 9 for the sixth consecutive year. The toys were distributed to kids at SBH Health System. The month kicked off with a Bruce Springsteen tribute band. The next weekend featured a live comedy show (both shows did have cover charges). The highlight on December 9 was a special four-course steakhouse dinner which included champagne and a betting voucher, in addition to your choice of one of four steaks. The track also featured former trainer Freddie Hudson signing his latest book, "Superfecta Trial". You can pick that one up on Amazon, by the way. On December 16 the Meadowlands celebrated with a classic rock band called The PastMasters, a meet and greet with New York Jets legend Joe Klecko, and a chance to catch UFC296 in the second floor Gallery. The big day for fans is December 30. That is their Fan Appreciation night, with $1 concession specials and $2 Budweiser products. One of my great memories (other than the Monticello matinee) was the New Year's Eve parties Northfield threw annually – a great meal, great racing, music after the races from announcer Bruce-Michael Biro and just generally a lot of good cheer. Alas, this year the only tracks racing on New Year's Eve in the U.S. seem to be Hawthorne for Harness and Los Alamitos with its Quarter Horses (there are a couple of Canadian tracks scheduled to race). I'm not sure if this is a historical change away from New Year's Eve racing or just because the holiday falls on Sunday this year. Most disappointing was, at least from checking other track websites, no other harness tracks were doing special Holiday promos. Perhaps the thought is that people are too busy during this time of year to come to the track so why bother, but obviously the folks at The Meadows (and MSOA), the Meadowlands and Northfield (and OHHA) disagree. And many of those tracks are attached to casinos which are always running lots of crazy promotions. That's it for this month. Merry Gissmas and best wishes for a happy, healthy 2024. Now go cash. Maybe at 18-1, but not after sundown on Christmas Eve.