The Meadowlands Racetrack’s ‘Championship Meet’ doesn’t get underway until the first Friday in May, but there is a championship of another kind on the line at the ‘Big M’ this Saturday (April 28), as harness handicappers will shoot for a total prize pool of $75,000 in the World Harness Handicapping Championship, presented by DerbyWars.com.

The format for the WHHC is as follows:

• $1,000 total fee ($700 entry fee plus $300 bankroll)
• Player’s choice of seven Meadowlands races plus three designated mandatory races, one each from the Meadowlands, Buffalo Raceway and Vernon Downs
• $30 minimum bet per race; $100 maximum bet
• Win, Place, Show and/or any combination of WPS wagers only
• One horse per race
• Contestants keep all pari-mutuel winnings
• Maximum of two entries per person

In the event there are 108 entries, the WHHC will have a guaranteed prize pool of $75,000 with a $40,000 grand prize. In addition, the top 10 finishers will each win a share of the prize pool.

All entry fees will be returned as prize money with the order of finish based on the highest accumulated pari-mutuel earnings.

For more information, click here.

HOTEL INFORMATION: Out-of-towners who need a hotel room can contact the Holiday Inn Hasbrouck Heights, 283 Route 17 South, Hasbrouck Heights, N.J. The phone number is 201-288-9600.

GIGANTIC CARRYOVER: The Meadowlands’ Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five, which will be offered on Friday night’s 10th race, sports the largest carryover in all of harness racing. It now stands at $200,837 and can be taken down by one player, if he or she is the only ticket holder of the winning combination.

The Big M’s popular Pick-4 wager, which has had 10 consecutive total pools of at least $88,000, will be available on Races 7 through 10.

Free program pages for the Pick-4, courtesy of Track Master, are available on the Meadowlands’ website (playmeadowlands.com) and on the handicapping section at ustrotting.com.

Live racing at the Big M is this Friday and Saturday. Post time is 7:15 p.m.

PARKING DURING VOLTA: Those heading to the Big M for live racing need to be aware of what to do when they arrive at the track to avoid a $20 parking fee, which is for those attending the Cirque Du Soleil Volta show. Volta will have performances on the same nights as live racing through Saturday, May 5.

When track patrons arrive, they should stay to the right-hand side of the toll plaza to avoid the $20 fee.

OWN A HORSE! The Big M’s popular ‘Own a Horse’ promotion offers fans a chance to own a piece of a Standardbred risk free. Sign up on or before Saturday, April 28, and if you are one of 10 lucky contestants chosen during live racing that night, you’ll get a chance to own up to 10 per cent of a Big M horse’s earnings during the month of May.

DERBY COUNTDOWN: The 144th Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs is the main simulcast attraction at the Big M on Saturday, May 5. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Post time for the Derby is 6:34 p.m.

(Meadowlands Racetrack)