The Meadowlands Racetrack has issued a preview of what its upcoming live programs will be offering, including wagering, special promotions and schedules.

The ‘Big M’s Pick-4 pools raised to high levels last weekend, just in time for what is in all probability to be a record three days in terms of average field size at the mile oval.

Last Friday (Dec. 13) and Saturday (Dec. 14) saw the second- and third-highest 50-cent Pick-4 pools of the track’s fall meet, as $95,479 was wagered Friday before $97,773 was bet Saturday. The top Pick-4 pool came on TVG/Fall Final Four night (Nov. 23) when $110,502 was poured into the pot.

Couple those numbers with the average field size of the three race cards that will be offered this Thursday-Saturday, and you get ideal conditions for big Pick-4 play.

This Thursday’s (Dec. 19) card gets a ‘perfect’ score, as all 11 races have full 10-horse fields. The Friday (Dec. 20) and Saturday (Dec. 21) programs each have 14 races, with 13 full fields and one that has nine horses. In total, the Big M will offer 39 races over the three-day race week, with 37 offering 10-horse fields. The average field size – assuming no scratches – will be 9.95 horses per race. It’s hard to imagine a higher number than that over a span of three programs ever, even though records do not exist.

“We are so pleased at the response we’ve received at the entry box,” said Meadowlands Racetrack Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “Big fields are what our customers want, and over the next three race cards, we will deliver.”

Last Friday’s Pick-4 featured a 75-1 winner in leg one, which led to a handsome payoff of $3,528 despite no horse longer than odds of 5-2 having won any of the final three legs. Saturday night’s 50-cent Pick-5 featured a 26-1 shot and a 36-1 shot, which resulted in a single-ticket-winner payoff of $33,873.

Twenty-cent Jackpot Super High-Five players are no doubt chomping at the bit to get their action Thursday. The carryover for Race 5 is at $12,866, while Race 11 will start out with $54,275 in the hat.

Free program pages for the 50-cent Pick-4, the Big M’s signature wager that has a $50,000 guaranteed pool on Fridays and Saturdays as well as a low 15 percent takeout, are available at ustrotting.com and playmeadowlands.com.

CARTER’S UP NEXT: The USTA’s Michael Carter is next in the ‘batting order’ to ‘Borrow Ken’s Binoculars,’ as guest announcers give Big M voice Ken Warkentin a breather on Thursdays during December. Carter will call the races Thursday (Dec. 19) with Big M TV personality Dave Little scheduled to call on Dec. 26.

DECEMBER SCHEDULE: During the month of December, live racing at the Meadowlands will be conducted on a three-day-a week basis, Thursday-Saturday. Post time will be at 7:15 p.m.

THANKING THE FANS: Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment will be showing appreciation for their fans with some concession specials on Friday (Dec. 20).

Hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn and soda will be available for $1, while Bud and Bud Light will cost only $2. The discount prices are available from 7-10 p.m.

PLAY THE WHHC FOR FREE: The Big M will host a World Harness Handicapping Championship contest this Saturday (Dec. 21), and it is free to play. Complete information is available here: http://playmeadowlands.com/event_detail.aspx?id=17958.

MEADOWLANDS HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: Here is the holiday operating schedule for simulcasting at the Big M:

• December 22: Closed
• Christmas Eve: Closed
• Christmas Day: Closed
• December 29: Closed
• New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

For more information, go to playmeadowlands.com.

(With files from the Meadowlands Racetrack)