The Meadowlands is known as a track with a driver colony that’s got big-time talent from top to bottom, but last weekend, two standouts stood far above the rest of the crowd.

Over the course of the two-day race week at the Big M on Jan. 17 and 18, Dexter Dunn and Yannick Gingras were both at the top of their respective games, to say the least.

Of the 28 races contested, the prolific pair won 18 times, with each pilot hitting the winner’s circle four times Friday and five times Saturday.

Dunn, a 30-year-old New Zealand native, took both features with Down Under-breds, winning Friday with Major Occasion A and then Saturday with Franco Totem N. His fans were especially thrilled with Dunn’s Friday success, as the United States Harness Writers Association’s Driver of the Year scored with long shots Bold Goddess ($43.80) and Auteur Hanover ($54.60). In addition, Dunn swept the $348.20 daily double that covered races seven and eight.

Gingras, whose $13.4 million in earnings was good for second in North America during 2019, maintained his place as one of the most popular drivers at the Big M by scoring a half dozen times over the weekend with non-favourites, as both he and Dunn – not surprisingly – showed a flat-bet profit by the time the dust cleared Saturday night.

Racing fans won’t get the chance to play Gingras or Dunn this weekend, however, as neither is listed to drive. Gingras will be in France attending – not participating in – the Prix d’Amerique, while Dunn has a previous commitment.

Racing fans can look forward to another ace being in the fold, however, as Tim Tetrick, the leading money earning driver from 2019 with over $15.6 million, will be in the sulky at the Big M this Friday and Saturday night. Post time is the usual 7:15 p.m.

PICK-4 REPORT: The Meadowlands’ signature wager, the 50-cent Pick-4, saw its usual big play last weekend, as a total of $81,661 was bet Friday and $91,480 was in the pool Saturday. Friday’s final leg saw a 25-1 shot score, leading to a payoff of $3,155.05. Chalk players hit the $55.85 return Saturday, as Dunn and Gingras each won twice during the sequence.

FREE PPs: When it comes to the 50-cent Pick-4, the Late 20-cent Jackpot Super High-Five and the 20-cent Can-Am Pick-4, if you want to play but prefer not to pay for past performances, all you have to do is go to playmeadowlands.com or ustrotting.com where you can access them for free.

GIANT SCORE: One sharp handicapper made the score of a lifetime Friday. Betting into the Oregon Express hub, that player held the only 20-cent Jackpot Super High-Five ticket with the winning combination of 1-7-3-6-4 and cashed in for $118,148.72.

The race was won by 2-1 favourite Lily Hammer and driver Corey Callahan. Finishing second through fifth, respectively, were Northern Swift (25-1), Moonshinecharleigh (8-1), Manhattan Play (3-1) and Justabitofcharm (30-1).

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

• On Jan. 24, card players who are 21 or older can play Texas Hold’em on “Free Poker Friday”, hosted by World Free Poker.

• On Jan. 25, the Big M hosts its annual “Chili Cook Off”, which will have its usual “Homestyle Chili” division. This year, a “Chili Verde” contest has been added to the festivities. In addition, there will also be a competition for the best salsa. For complete information and registration, go to this link.

• On Feb. 2, professional football’s championship game – that pits the Kansas City Chiefs against the San Francisco 49ers – kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Be sure to watch and wager in the Big M’s FanDuel Sportsbook.

• On Feb. 7, come to the track and enjoy a “Brunch for Love” from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. The event benefits non-profits from the Meadowlands Chamber.

• On Feb. 14, bring your sweetheart to the races and enjoy a fabulous Valentine’s Day dinner in the Big M’s Pink Restaurant. You might be one of three couples to win a gift certificate for a bed and breakfast in Cape May, N.J. For reservations, call 201-THE-BIGM.

(Meadowlands)