A 40-minute delay before the start of the program due to intense thunderstorms, another 40-minute delay due to an inquiry involving several horses, long post time drags between races and, finally, a power outage that knocked out a portion of the lights as a result of all of the rain that fell just as the 10th race was heading to the gate, made for a tough Friday night (Aug. 2) at The Meadowlands.
Management decided just after 11:30 p.m. it was best for the horsemen, patrons and employees to pull the plug and end the scheduled 14-race program after just nine dashes were complete.
“It was a tough night from start to finish,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “We had to sacrifice a large amount of handle on a Friday night but we felt it was best for everyone, especially with our huge Hambletonian Day card set to begin at noon on Saturday, that we call off the rest of the card when we did.”
