Pick-4 Are Wild At Big M
It’s a proven fact that Meadowlands fans love to try and pick four winners on one ticket in an effort to make a score, and the pools for the ever-popular Big M 50-Cent Pick-4 – as well as those for the new 20-Cent Can-Am Pick-4 – back that up.
The consistency of the Big M Pick-4 has been remarkable. Of the 42 race cards contested at the mile oval in 2019, 21 times (50 percent) the pool has exceeded $100,000.
The current six-figure streak stands at three, showing pools of $104,786, $100,408 and $111,105, respectively, for the most recent programs. The highest pool of the year was achieved on March 2, when $134,614 was pushed through the windows.
“Our big fields and competitive racing create multi-leg wager pools that out fans want to be a part of,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “We have also found that the new Can-Am Pick-4 is popular with our players as well. The cooperation we get from everyone at Woodbine Mohawk Park as well as the hard work that’s done at both tracks has much to do with the bet’s success.”
With a 20-Cent minimum bet and the challenge of picking winners at harness racing’s top two venues – the Big M and Woodbine Mohawk Park – betting in the Can-Am Pick-4 has been steady, due in part that with the low minimum, players can ‘spread’ their tickets further, which creates more winners.
The Can-Am Pick-4 is only 10 weeks into its existence, but betting has been solid, with an average pool of $56,423. Payouts are smaller due to the decreased minimum, so players should be aware that a CAP4 that pays $200, would come back $500 had it had a 50-Cent minimum. The CAP4 is comprised of, in order, Mohawk’s 10th race, Meadowlands’ 10th, Mohawk’s 11th and the Big M’s 11th.
Free program pages (along with expert selections) are available on both the Meadowlands’ 50-Cent Pick-4 and the 20-Cent Can-Am Pick-4 by going to www.playmeadowlands.com or www.ustrotting.com. Both wagers have a low 15 percent takeout.
For those who like to play the 20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five, a carryover of $97,120 awaits for the fifth race on Friday night.
HEAD TO CANADA TO GRADUATE: Simulcast fans will want to check out the action at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday, as Leg 2 of the Graduate Series for some of the best four-year-old pacers and trotters in training will be the featured event.
On the trotting side, 2018 Hambletonian champion Atlanta will make an appearance, while on the pace, Courtly Choice is the marquee name.
Leg 3 of the series is June 9 at Tioga Downs before the fourth and final leg is contested at the Big M on June 28. The Graduate Series Finals will be on July 6 at the Meadowlands.
SEE THE STARS UP CLOSE: Two New Jersey Sire Stakes standouts will be on the Friday card at the Big M.
In a non-betting event at 6:10 p.m., Hurrikane Emperor, No. 4 in the current “Road to the Crawford Farms Meadowlands Pace” weekly Top 10 poll, goes after the three-year-old colt and gelding pace final, while, in the three-year-old colt and gelding trot final, Hambletonian hopeful Greenshoe is the 9-5 morning-line choice in the second betting race on the program.
First race post time this Friday and Saturday is 7:15 p.m.
GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNIN’: On Saturday, get ready for an exciting exotic charity car show at the Meadowlands from 6-10 p.m., presented by Luxe Autos and the enCourage Kids Foundation.
There will be Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Bentleys, Porsches and more on display, featuring the world’s most exclusive supercars, exotics, sports cars and rare pieces. Over 15 brands will line the track.
During the evening, Luxe Autos will be collecting donations to benefit the enCourage Kids Foundation, which envisions a world where every child – regardless of the difficulty of his or her medical journey – experiences joy, hope, resilience and healing. Get ready to get your heart racing and, at the same, help a great cause.
HANDICAPPING YOUTH: Come on out to the Big M on Saturday and take part in a free handicapping contest with cash prizes on “Millennial Night”, but only if you are 18-30 years of age.
The $5,000 prize pool is entirely sponsored by Jeff and Paula Gural’s Allerage Farms and is earmarked for young folks who want to come out and see the live race card and try to pick winners along the way.
Register on the night of the contest by 7 p.m. on Victory Terrace. First prize is $2,500, with the second- and third-place finishers taking away $1,500 and $1,000, respectively.
For more information, click here.
TRIPLE CROWN FINALE: The featured simulcast event at the Meadowlands on Saturday (June 8) will be the Belmont Stakes.
Big M gates will open at 10:30 a.m. The first race at Belmont is at 11:35 a.m. with the Belmont Stakes scheduled to go at 6:37 p.m.
BURGER BATTLE: Do you make a good burger? Then come out to the Meadowlands on Saturday (June 8) and participate in the fourth annual “Battle for the Best Burger”. You could win $1,500.
The contest begins at noon and is open to area food trucks and restaurants. For complete details and the entry form, click here.
TITLE CHASES: The FanDuel Sportsbook is the place to watch and wager on the NHL Stanley Cup Final, in which the St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins are tied at one game apiece, and the NBA Finals, where the defending champion Golden State Warriors will face off against the Toronto Raptors.
Game 3 of the NHL series is on Saturday at 8 p.m. while Game 1 of the NBA matchup gets underway tonight (Thursday, May 30) at 9 p.m.
The FanDuel Sportsbook offers plenty of comfortable seating with a full-service bar and plenty of tasty food choices.
(Meadowlands)