With calendars about to flip from 2018 to 2019, Meadowlands fans – in addition to resolutions to stop smoking, lose weight and pick more winners – can look forward to a bit of a shakeup in the track’s wagering format.

Effective Friday, Jan. 4 – the first card of 2019 – these will be the changes for bettors to take note of:

· The 50-Cent Pick 5 will get underway in Race 1

· There will only be one Pick 3 offered and it will be available on the final three races of the night

· Something popular at mainly thoroughbred tracks will now be offered at the Big M as rolling Daily Doubles will be on the menu, meaning the bet will be available on Races 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, etc.

· The “Survivor Wager” will now begin in Race 3, thus, for a 10-race card, it will be a 20-Cent Survivor Pick 8, and on an 11-race card, it will be a 20-Cent Survivor Pick 9, etc.

“Here at the Meadowlands,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir, “every so often we like to provide our fans with some new challenges with a fresh look. While the Pick-5 and Survivor wagers are merely moving to new spots in the order, we are optimistic that the new Rolling Doubles will be a hit with our players.”

Settlemoir also had a message for all of those about to sing “Auld Land Syne”: “I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all of our employees, horse owners, trainers and drivers and, of course, our loyal fans, a healthy and prosperous Happy New Year.”

MILLER’S GOT AN EIGHT-PACK: The hot hands for last week’s (Dec. 20-22) programs belonged to David Miller, who recorded eight victories. Yannick Gingras also had the touch, scoring seven times. Miller and Gingras did as well as they did despite not racing on the Thursday program.

Ron Burke led the trainers with four winner’s circle trips.

BOZICH TO CO-HOST: Mike Bozich, one half of the “Post time with Mike & Mike” team that can be heard every Thursday morning at 10:30 a.m. at www.posttimewithmikeandmike.com, will serve as co-host of the live “Racing from the Meadowlands” simulcast show alongside Dave Brower Thursday (Dec. 27) night. In addition to his podcast, Bozich also serves as the track announcer at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

STILL THREE CARDS TO GO: Before players can dig in to the new wagering format, there is still the business of closing out the current year. Live racing at the Meadowlands will be conducted this Thursday through Saturday (Dec. 27-29) with a post time of 7:15 p.m.

The opportunities to make a score will be plentiful, as during the course of the 38 races, 36 will offer at least nine betting interests while 25 with have the full 10 wagering possibilities.

The track’s 50-Cent Pick 5 will have its usual $25,000 guaranteed pool while the 50-Cent Pick 4 will offer a $35,000 promise on Thursday and $50,000 on Friday and Saturday.

Free program pages are available at www.ustrotting.com and www.playmeadowlands.com.

(Meadowlands Racetrack)