After a strong opening on Friday, the wagering momentum continued to build Saturday night at the Meadowlands Racetrack

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The live handle was $442,822, up 40 percent over the $316,205 wagered the previous year. The $2,725,660 total handle represented a 6.5 percent increase over the $2,558,273 wagered in 2011. Opening night, January 6, also produced strong numbers, notably a 55 percent increase in on-track wagering ($380,499 vs. $245,139).

The Meadowlands resumes a Thursday-Saturday racing schedule next week, with a nightly post time of 7 p.m. Weekly specials include Thirsty Thursdays (discount drafts and hot dogs, $1 admission with college ID and Change Your Luck drawings) and Free Fridays (free admission, live program and poker tournaments). Go to MeadowlandsRacetrack.com for events and information.

(Meadowlands Racetrack)