Celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Meadowlands, Part 3

by Bob Heyden

Part 1 is here.

Part 2 is here.

No racetrack or Sports Complex has a bio, a history, like The Meadowlands and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA). This is not about where we are going, but rather a tip of the cap to where we’ve been.

The enormity of The Meadowlands and the Sports Complex was the point. Everywhere you looked there was something going on. Being herded around wasn’t at all insulting but a badge of honor of sorts. Heck all of a sudden you were actually a part of all this.

Today’s patron may have a hard time believing that once there were betting lines 12-15 minutes deep, with separate $2, $5, $10, and $50 windows. Clubhouse seats were treasured and friendships were forged, sometimes while on line trying to get your daily double in. Groups and organizations met there. “So, this is what my next-door neighbor was talking about,” was a common refrain.

Back in the day, no matter where you went in the world, you never ever had to explain what/where The Meadowlands was.

Let’s start off by looking at my five reasons why The Meadowlands exploded onto the racing scene-on Sept. 1 1976.

1. Location, location, location. It was right smack in the middle of the metropolitan area with easy access.

2. Timing was perfect. Not only were Watergate and Vietnam now in the rear-view mirror, but in racing the runners and standardbreds were quite popular. More people went to the races in 1975 than to all Major League Baseball games combined.

3. Nighttime racing on a mile track was a new wrinkle for the trotting and pacing world. T-breds also offered the fandom a new option in a neighboring state to Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga.

4. They were all in. There chips were in the center of the table. Folks, this is our product, tell us what you think. The powers that be from 1974-76 were in unison here and headstrong and bullish don’t begin to describe their tenacity.

5. Half-mile track fatigue. All the successful tracks within shouting distance were twice-arounds. Yonkers, Roosevelt, and Freehold in particular. A full mile track, with 10 across, provided what many thought was the truest test for the horse and the horsemen, and a much-welcomed alternative.

A TRUE PHENOMENON

For those of you not near old enough to have experienced this phenomenon known as The Meadowlands, here’s a brief synopsis:

• 1976-85: The first decade, they opened the doors and got out of the way. In short, the first decade the place ran itself.

• 1986-1998: Simulcasting became the supplement that helped The Meadowlands maintain excellence. By then you couldn’t just rely on your in-house customers. The biggest obstacle then was paring down the existing employees that lacked the smarts and foresight for this, because remember folks, it was state run.

• 1999-2010: Atlantic City would send money for the next 12 years for The Meadowlands not to pursue slots. That money enabled the highest level of standardbred drivers, trainers, and horses to star rather than pursue potentially greener pastures.

2011-2026: The new regime headed by Jeff Gural and Jason Settlemoir took the reins.

CROWDS GALORE AND MUCH MORE

So many things that took place then seem foreign to those fans and players of today. People by the busload coming in from everywhere. Six nights of racing per week.

In 1997, The Meadowlands became the first home of a million-dollar standardbred and thoroughbred race in the same year when the Pegasus got bumped up to seven figures. Million Dollar Babies had a four-year-run from 1986-89 starting out with over $5.3 million on the line. It was kind of like having a grade school graduation and a high school graduation in the same night, and no parent would dare miss out on that.

Not everyone could race there, but make no mistake about it, everybody wanted to go there. It felt like the playoffs and Super Bowl to many.

When looking back on the past 50 years of The Meadowlands it is almost a life lesson in commitment and doing things the right way. When you have a giveaway night make it a real one. Can you say long-sleeve sweatshirts? When you have a huge event, you have a press gathering before and make sure every owner’s wife has a rose at her seat. You acknowledge all those who frequent your place of business with numerous Panasonic giveaways, overseas trips, and season passes. You can’t be a world-famous track without being good and considerate to everyone.

Was it extravagant? Yes. Over the top? Yes. In short, The Meadowlands was the place to be. It was glamour and it was the standard by which all else would be measured.

IN CONCLUSION

Let’s remember, or actually hear for the very first time, that 30, 40, or 50 years ago, everyone had gone or had heard of this whirlwind known as The Meadowlands. If you hadn’t gone yet, you most certainly were planning to. It was a once-in-a-lifetime happening for sure.

Let’s give a big THANK YOU to the State of New Jersey for bringing this to reality. Prior to 1976 New Jersey was not on anyone’s radar and probably only known as “That place Stanley Dancer came from.” Whether you are 30, 50, or 80 years old, The Meadowlands has undoubtedly played some role in your life. In many instances it is most certainly a proud and storied time of our lives.

Happy anniversary to The Meadowlands, and remember that a 50-year hourglass serves to highlight, not diminish.