While the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the handle numbers during 2020 at The Meadowlands were not unexpected, what has come as a pleasant surprise to Big M management is how business has come back during 2021.

A look at the mile oval’s business through the first six months of each of the last four years illustrate how solid betting has been during the current season. In 2018, business was slow by Meadowlands’ standards, as a total of $110.1 million was wagered over 52 race cards (539 races), good for an average of $2.1 million a night and $204,367 per race.

Except for considerably fewer race cards due to the pandemic last year, 2019 and 2020 were similar from a business perspective, as nightly handle averaged $2.7 million both years, while there was only a slight difference in the per race, where 2019 ($213,592) was slightly better than 2020 ($211,009).

Enter 2021. Through June 30, a total of $169 million has been pushed through the windows over 51 programs (660 races), an average daily handle of $3.3 million and a per race of $256,302.

“The statistics show the damage caused by the worldwide pandemic,” said track chief operating officer and general manager Jason Settlemoir. “It also shows how New Jersey racing has come back strong in 2021.

“So often, it’s hard to quantify results. In this case, it’s obvious that the pandemic knocked us down in 2020, since we were able to conduct only 29 programs through the first half of the year. It’s also obvious that New Jersey racing has gotten back up and put up giant numbers during 2021.”

Settlemoir doesn’t mind acknowledging that the Garden State’s political machine played a role in how good things are.

“It is also obvious how far New Jersey and The Meadowlands have come with the help of Governor [Phil] Murphy and the New Jersey State Legislature,” said Settlemoir. “Total handle and handle per program through June 30 have increased more than 50 per cent since 2018.”

PICK-6 CARRYOVER: There were no winning tickets sold in the 20-cent Pick-6 last Saturday, creating a carryover of $13,928 for this Friday’s edition of the wager, which kicks off in the eighth race.

The last time there was a Pick-6 carryover (April 30), the total pool was $56,611, and those who had all six correct walked away with $1,467.

WEEKEND STAKES: On Friday night, two-year-olds will be in the spotlight with seven divisions of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for horses of both sexes and gait. Five $25,000 dashes will be on the betting card while a pair of $20,000 races will be conducted as non-bettors at 6 p.m.

Saturday night, the $135,000 Crawford Farms Open Trot, $160,000 Artiscape Mares Open Pace, $156,000 Joie De Vie Mares Open Trot and two divisions of the $224,500 Roll With Joe Open Pace highlight the card.

FREE! FREE! FREE! Free programs for every race of every Meadowlands card are available to the public, and all one has to do to access them is go to playmeadowlands.com.

GET TWEETING: You can always check in with the team at The Meadowlands on Twitter.

For early changes, racing information and staff selections, go to @themeadowlands or #playbigm.

On race nights, stay in touch with the Big M’s Dave Brower (@eedoogie), Dave Little (@DaveLittleBigM), Ken Warkentin (@kenvoiceover) and Jessica Otten (@JessicaOtten1).

SIX CHANCES TO HIT BIG: Here are the six popular Meadowlands’ wagers that offer a low 15 per cent takeout on a nightly basis:

• Race 1: 20-cent Pick-5
• Race 3: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7
• Race 6: 50-cent Pick-4
• Race 8: 20-cent Pick-6
• Race 10: 50-cent Pick-4
• Race 13: 10-cent Hi-5/Pentafecta

BROWER’S BEST BETS: For those who like to get a leg up on the action, go to playmeadowlands.com to see track oddsmaker and analyst Brower’s selections and commentary. Click on the “handicapping” tab and go to “race reviews”.

Brower’s input is generally available 48 hours before every card.

CHECK OUT THE SHOW: Big M TV’s live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pre-game show, which provides news, notes, features, staff selections and a look at that evening’s marquee races, gets underway at 5:47 p.m.

Live action continues every Friday and Saturday through August 7 (Hambletonian Day). Post time is 6:20 p.m. with two exceptions: Meadowlands Pace Night (6 p.m.) and Hambletonian Day (noon).

VISIT ‘THE BOOK’ AT THE BIG M: Fans who like sports betting can play at one of the leading sports books in the country, the FanDuel Sportsbook, located at The Meadowlands.

Thursday night in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the Milwaukee Bucks are a 3-point favorite (-108) at home taking on the upstart Atlanta Hawks, who are -112 with the points.

On the money line, the Bucks are -148 while the Hawks are +126.

The sportsbook is open Sunday-Friday from 10 a.m.-midnight and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 a.m. The cash counter is open from 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

(Meadowlands)