The architect of speed at The Meadowlands says goodbye

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – After a half-century of caring for the track surfaces – most notably the mile oval at The Meadowlands, home to the fastest mile in the history of the game – Gary Wolff, who serves as Big M’s director of racing properties and tracks, will step down from his position when he retires at the end of the year.

“I’ve been doing this since 1974,” Wolff said.

“I started at Buffalo Raceway and that was 50 years ago. I still love what I do, but it’s time to just enjoy my life a little bit. I spend all my time at the track, so it’s time to go.”

During his track career, Wolff also made stops at Buffalo Raceway, Garden State Park and Freehold Raceway. He has been working at Big M for twenty years.
Wolff reflected on some of the things he faces, both good and bad.

“The weather in The Meadowlands is the biggest challenge,” Wolff said. “It’s so unpredictable there. Winter is so up and down, and days of thawing make it a challenge.”

Moisture isn’t necessarily an enemy of runners or horses, if you go by what Wolff says.

“The best time to race [at The Meadowlands] It’s hours after it rained,” Wolff said.

“The moisture that gets into that track is so even.”

Shortly after a light rain on July 16, 2022, Bulldog Hanover stopped the clock at the William Haughton Memorial in 1:45.4, the only sub-1:46 mile in track racing history.

“There’s actually a lot of dirt on the track at The Meadowlands,” Wolff said.

“Trap rock is what it’s called. Limestone is used on many tracks, and when limestone gets wet it gets slimy, but trap rock, which is only found in the northeast, makes the track faster when it gets wet. It provides a great cushion.”

Wolff, 70, is looking forward to spending time off the court. But he can’t quite figure it out.

“I’m still going to discuss it,” Wolff said.

“I work for Kentucky, Buffalo, Batavia, Yonkers, and I still stay involved with the Meadowlands. I meet once a month. I never want to give it up. I just love what I do too much.”

“[Meadowlands Chief Operating Officer and General Manager] Jason Settlemoir and [Chairman and Chief Executive Officer] Jeff Gural and I have been friends for a long time, 20 to 25 years. I helped Jeff at Vernon [Downs] when they changed the size of the track, and I helped him at Tioga too [Downs].”

In retirement, Wolff will trade in his pickup by towing a screen to a boat on a lake.

“I love fishing,” Wolff said.

“We go to the Poconos once a year, and we also go to the Adirondacks.”

Through Dave Kleinfor The Meadowlands