The Meadowlands’ biggest stakes races of 2024 will again be televised live on the networks of FOX Sports thanks to a partnership with the television department at The New York Racing Association (NYRA) as part of its “America’s Day at the Races” broadcasts. “Working with a first-class TV team like the one at the NYRA has been something beneficial to The Meadowlands and all of harness racing,” said Meadowlands’ Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “We feel that showing our biggest races to a national audience is something we are convinced is making Thoroughbred fans into harness fans, and that’s something that’s good for both industries.” There will be nine shows from The Meadowlands during the course of the year, and only two of them (as of now) will include coverage of Thoroughbred racing (Aug. 3 and Oct. 18). Jessica Otten of Big M TV and Gabe Prewitt of the Red Mile will be back as the on-camera talent onsite, joining Acacia Clement and Paul Verderosa of the NYRA, who will be in the studio. Additional broadcasts from harness venues other than The Meadowlands will be added in the coming weeks. Here is the tentative schedule for The Big M broadcasts with the marquee event that will be shown. Where not listed, specific networks – Fox, FS1 or FS2 – will be determined: ♦  May 18: Cutler, 9-11 p.m. (FS2) ♦  July 6: Graduate finals/Meadowlands Pace eliminations, 8-11 p.m. (FS2) ♦  July 13: Meadowlands Pace final, 8-11 p.m. (TBD) ♦  August 3: Hambletonian, 1-7 p.m. (TBD) ♦  October 18: Breeders Crown eliminations, 1-6 p.m. (TBD) ♦  October 19: Breeders Crown eliminations, 8-11 p.m. (TBD) ♦  October 25: Breeders Crown finals, 8-11 p.m. (TBD) ♦  October 26: Breeders Crown finals, 8-11 p.m. (TBD) ♦  November 30: Fall Final Four, 8-11 p.m. (TBD) “As America’s Day at the Races continues to grow and evolve, FOX Sports and NYRA are thrilled to continue our partnership with The Meadowlands in 2024,” said NYRA Sr. Director of TV Broadcast Operations Eric Donovan. “Jeff Gural and Jason Settlemoir have been instrumental in recognizing the importance of live national television coverage for harness racing and we look forward to presenting marquee events from The Meadowlands, including the 2024 Breeders Crown.” NYRA and FOX Sports were honored by the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) with the President’s Award as well as the Sam McKee Award for excellence in broadcasting. Both awards recognized overall commitment to the sport of harness racing in 2023, when America’s Day at the Races aired more than 70 hours of live coverage and analysis, including the Breeders Crown and Hambletonian. SHARPEN YOUR PENCILS: The much-anticipated live-money handicapping contest at The Meadowlands, postponed due to bad weather two weeks ago, will take place this Saturday (April 6). There is no entry fee for players and the prize pool is a guaranteed $5,000, which will be fully funded by The Big M. The night of the contest, players must register/check-in at the Clubhouse Lobby by 6:20 p.m., and a $100 betting card – cash only – must be purchased to participate, as this is a live money/wagering contest. Entry includes a program. The contest format: ♦  Contestants must bet a minimum of 10 Meadowlands races ♦  $10 minimum bet per race; no maximum bet ♦  Win, Place, Show and/or Exacta wagers only ♦  One horse per race ♦  Unlimited entries allowed per person ♦  Players keep all pari-mutuel winnings Prize board: 1st: $2,000 2nd: $1,250 3rd: $1,000 4th: $500 5th: $250 For complete contest rules and regulations, go here. -edited release (Meadowlands)