Business was brisk at the Meadowlands Racetrack during the weekend of January 4-5, as the track’s 2019 racing calendar kicked off to the delight of eager punters.

Bettors pushed a little more than $5.6 million through the windows over the course of the two-card race week.

Wagering was almost identical on the pair of 13-race programs, as $2,831,028 was bet on Friday before $2,856,661 in action was taken Saturday. The average handle per race was a strong $218,757.

The 50-Cent Pick-4, the track’s signature bet, took in $106,836 in wagers Friday before Saturday saw $92,512 in action. For those handicappers sharp enough to use 27-1 shot Whittaker in Saturday’s 11th race, the Pick-4 returned a handsome $4,393. The first three legs of the wager were taken by ‘haveable’ 5-1, 8-1 and 6-5 shots, respectively. The 50-Cent Pick-4 has a low 15 per cent takeout and a guaranteed pool of $50,000.

Twenty-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five players will have a pair of carryovers to shoot for Friday night, as the fifth race will begin with $22,265 in the hat while race 13 will have $26,504 to start.

(With files from the Meadowlands Racetrack)