While winter’s chill has been in full effect of late, the action – as well as the payoffs – at the Meadowlands Racetrack have been white-hot.

Racing will resume at the ‘Big M’ on Thursday (December 28) for the track’s final race week of 2017 with a 10-race program that will get underway at 6:35 p.m. The track will then return with back-to-back 14-race cards on Friday and Saturday with the same earlier-than-normal winter post time, which will be in effect through the end of February.

There will be many opportunities for bettors over the course of the three programs, as 34 of the 38 carded races will feature full 10-horse fields. Couple that with Pick Fours and Pick Fives that have a low takeout of 15 per cent, and you have the recipe for a post-Christmas score.

“The winter meet offers great opportunities for vertical and horizontal bettors,” said the track’s chief operating officer and general manager Jason Settlemoir. “The full 10-horse fields combined with the long stretch at the Meadowlands makes racing a little more unpredictable, which makes the pools larger because the bigger payouts now become possible. We’re looking forward to a great 2018.”

Given how things played out this past weekend, Settlemoir has good reason to be optimistic:

• The Meadowlands’ all-source handle on Saturday night totalled $2,771,241

• The Pick Four pool was $68,192 on Friday and $64,196 on Saturday

• The 50 Cent Pick Five payout was $4,375 on Friday and $3,671 on Saturday

• The average payoff for the 20 Cent Survivor Pick 10 was $8,479

• The first race Trifecta on Saturday returned $12,390. It was outdone one race later, when $27,399 was the payout

• One lucky bettor in Chicago cashed in for $28,332 Saturday when he or she had the only ticket with the winning combination of 6-8-3-1-9 in the Early 20 Cent Jackpot Super High Five

• The track’s Thursday evening (December 28) Late 20 Cent Jackpot Super High Five (Race 10) sports a carryover of $53,076

On Friday night (December 29), the Meadowlands will offer another terrific wagering opportunity, as 14 large, competitive fields will be on the menu. The evening’s features are a pair of conditioned races for a purse of $11,500, one for trotters, the other for pacing mares.

A pair of imports demand consideration among the very diverse field of ten mares in Race 8.

Neon Sky N (PP3) is brand new to US racing, having but a single start on US shores. That start produced an excellent effort versus this very same class one week ago. Trained by Matthew Adamczyk for owner Joseph Pisarski, Neon Sky N was held just off the pace by driver Anthony Napolitano before a nice closing rally resulted in being third, beaten only a length and a half. She’s drawn an advantageous post inside her main rivals allowing ‘A Nap’ the opportunity to conduct another favourable journey on Friday.

Jewel Lehigh A has been plying her trade on the continent for the past two seasons and 2017 has been her best year by far. She’s generated over $122,000 for owner Michael Goldberg and trainer Andrew Harris in 2017, and she will get significant class relief on Friday. Billy Dobson will drive from Post 7 in Friday’s race.

In terms of promotions, the Meadowlands will be giving away a mountain of cash in the ‘Win Your Share of $2017.’ Sign up on the way in and get some free money!

Post time is 6:35 p.m.

(With files from the Meadowlands Racetrack)