Dennis Ritchie of Carlstadt, New Jersey walked away with a 2024 Toyota Corolla recently as the grand prize winner of the Meadowlands Racetrack’s Horseplay promotion. Ritchie, a loyal customer, has been participating in Horseplay since its inception.
“This is a fun promotion the Meadowlands runs,” Ritchie exclaimed after his name was drawn. “Thank you to everyone at the track for making this happen. Winning the car is just great!”
For every horse that was able to make it in the Horseplay car, the Meadowlands Racetrack donated $5 to the designated monthly charity and $5 to the Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption Program. For the 2024 season, $6,780 was donated to four charities.
The donation recipient for May, Special Strides, received $900. The non-profit organization focuses on improving the lives of those with special needs. By utilizing a unique combination of therapy, horses and nature, they are able to help these individuals reach specific goals.
The June Horseplay recipient, For the Love of Standardbreds, received $1,115. The organization facilitates the placement of Standardbred ex-racehorses in second careers by increasing their demand in equestrian sports and assists farms and trainers that seek to transition them into an alternative lifestyle.
Creature Comfort Pet Therapy was the recipient for July & August, receiving $1,420 over that span. They provide volunteers dedicated to sharing the love of their pets with other people through various community settings.
Over the three-month promotion, the Purple Haze Standard Adoption Program was able to receive $3,435. Since 2015, Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment has been able to donate almost $70,000 to local charities through Horseplay.