The Thoroughbred game has always been somewhere chalk-haters go and try to cash big tickets. In fact, old-time horse players will tell you that for many years Saratoga Racecourse was known as the “Graveyard of Favourites.”

Well, it’s time to stand aside Saratoga, and, for that matter, every other Thoroughbred track, as The Meadowlands has reported that it has the lowest percentage of winning favourites of any track currently racing in North America, regardless of breed.

“One reason The Meadowlands is so popular is that we offer a mile track with a vastly different style of racing,” said Jason Settlemoir, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager at Meadowlands Racetrack. “That style makes for less predictable outcomes, producing more upsets and considerably larger payouts, such as the $55,000 return two weeks ago in our 20-cent Pick-6.

“This dynamic results in the biggest pools in the sport, creating world-wide interest in New Jersey racing every weekend.”

A key barometer is a low percentage of winning favourites. For instance, sitting atop the beaten chalk board during the winter was Turfway Park, whose public choice’s clicked at a mere 30 per cent at the meet that concluded April 1, which led to the biggest average payouts in horse racing.

Now that Turfway is dark, you won’t find a track that sees favourites fail more than they do at the oval located at the top of N.J. Turnpike, whether you’re talking “runners” or “trotters.”

The Meadowlands currently has the lowest percentage of winning favourites in North America, followed by some of the greatest tracks in the world. The current percentage of successful public choices at Aqueduct, Gulfstream and Oaklawn is 35, followed by Santa Anita (37) and Keeneland (38).

The Big M’s 34 per cent is miniscule in harness racing, as the median percentage of winning favourites in the sulky sport is 44.

Lately, things at The Meadowlands have been especially non-chalky, as the last seven race cards have seen favourites go 30-for-98 (30 per cent).

While 2023 has been an exceptional year for business at The Big M, management knows challenges lie ahead.

“As we move into spring, The Meadowlands and New Jersey horsemen can certainly be proud of the numbers they put up during the first quarter of 2023," said Settlemoir. "Handle was up more than $26 million, and heading into this weekend, the streak of consecutive nighttime programs that have seen wagering go over $3-million stands at 27.

“But now, there are considerably more options available for the consumer that wants to wager. MLB is underway, and the NHL and NBA playoffs begin this week. Every track – both Thoroughbred and Standardbred – will find it more difficult to offer full fields now as more tracks open for racing as the weather heats up. That’s why it was incredibly encouraging that we extended our $3-million streak to 27 last Saturday, despite not offering so much as one full 10-horse field on the entire program.”

Live racing at The Meadowlands will take place every Friday and Saturday for the next 17 consecutive weeks. Post time is 6:20 p.m., except for the last day of the meeting, Hambletonian Day, Saturday, Aug. 5, when the first race heads to the gate at noon. Free past performances for every race of every Meadowlands card are available by going to playmeadowlands.com.

(Meadowlands Racetrack)