Big M to host race fit for a King

At 0h05, on January 24, 2025 By Meadowlands Media Relations

Friday (Jan. 24) night’s fifth race might look ordinary to those who follow racing at The Meadowlands on a regular basis, but the man it honors was anything but ordinary.

The $10,000 claiming pace pays tribute to slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who undoubtedly would have loved the fact that the mile dash in his honor is a mixed-race event that will feature five African-American drivers.

The MLK Day holiday was Jan. 20, five days after what would have been King’s 96th birthday.

King wanted a world where people of all races would get along, and one of the many of his quotes that carried enormous impact was: “We must learn to live together as brothers or we will die together as fools.”

The African-American quintet of Jim King Solomon, DeShawn Sample, Yogi Sheridan, William Carter and Brandon Cruse will take on Bradley Chisholm, Justin Irvine, Justin Huckabone, Tyler Miller and Braxten Boyd in the $11,000 race that has been dubbed the “Martin Luther King Remembrance Race.”

“All of us at The Meadowlands are so pleased to be having this event that recognizes one of the most important figures in American history,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “Dr. King’s beliefs, along with his ability to motivate people to protest peacefully, went a long way toward advancing the rights of African-Americans both back in the 1960s, as well as today, when his legacy continues to live on.”

Page 1 Copy 2 Created with Sketch. Related articles

20
Jun.

Second Preliminary Leg of the Quebec-Bred Series for Pacers

By Laurent Sauvé

The Quebec-Bred Series continues Sunday at Hippodrome Trois-Rivières as 4-year-old pacing mares, colts and geldings return fo...

Read more
20
Jun.

Graduates return to rock the clock at Big M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

Despite a severe thunderstorm that made it necessary to delay the start of the races 37 minutes, a “wet-fast” track at the Me...

Read more
20
Jun.

Mandatory Rainbow 6 Payout Sunday Estimated at $500,000

By Gulfstream Park

Gulfstream will celebrate Father’s Day Sunday with a special brunch and a mandatory payout of the 20-cent Rainbow 6 estimated...

Read more