With a shot of warm air coming to the region, temperatures will be exceeding seasonal averages with readings expected in the 10 degree range this weekend, which is the perfect time for fans to head to The Meadowlands and sample a smorgasbord of possibilities.

First up, of course, is the harness racing, which takes place on the usual Friday and Saturday evenings with a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m.

There figures to be plenty of action at the windows. This weekend will offer what’s been the norm at the mile oval lately – plenty of big fields – with 14-race cards both nights that offer 13 10-horse fields on Friday and 12 more on Saturday. The big fields have helped business at The Big M get off to a solid 2024 start, with four of the first five race cards producing total handle exceeding $3 million.

One wager sure to attract a lot of interest is Friday night’s 20-cent Pick-6, which will start out with a double carryover of $14,531 after no winning tickets were sold on the puzzle last weekend (Jan. 19-20).

The last time there was a similar Pick-6 circumstance was Dec. 1 of last year, when players were motivated to pump $37,927 of “new money” into the pool after a carryover of $13,662 was the starting point.

“Our Pick-6 carryovers are always popular,” said Jason Settlemoir, Meadowlands' Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. “They create a lot of buzz with our players because they offer such incredible value. Since the carryover itself is not subject to the already low 15 per cent takeout, it’s commonplace for a bet like this to offer what is called a negative takeout, when the return to players actually exceeds what’s wagered when there are winning tickets sold.”

The NFL Playoffs are starting to wind down but the action in the FanDuel Sportsbook is ramping up as Championship Sunday (Jan. 28) takes place this week with four teams looking to advance to professional football’s championship game, which is on Feb. 11.

The FanDuel Sportsbook, which is located inside the grandstand at The Meadowlands, has plenty of HD TVs, self-service and teller machines, and bar and food service.

Two great promotions continue through Feb. 11 for FanDuel customers wagering at The Meadowlands:

•  NFL Playoff B&G: Bet $250 Parlay Get $50 – Place a parlay wager of five or more legs (inclusive of Same Game Parlay or Same Game Parlay+ wagers) of at least $250 and receive a $50 voucher for use on a parlay wager (inclusive of Same Game Parlay or Same Game Parlay+ wagers) at the eligible retail location (up to a maximum of $200), regardless of if their eligible wager wins or loses.
• Football Parlay Insurance: Play a parlay wager at The Meadowlands of at least five legs (maximum 25 legs provided that all legs have a minimum of -220 odds and consist of only NFL markets offered by sponsor) and receive a bonus of up to $2,500.

Onsite customers can also enjoy the $12 wing bar food special in the Gallery. Diners can grab some wings with various sauces and fries while watching all the football action.    

On Saturday, fans of the Thoroughbred game should make plans to be in The Big M’s expansive simulcast area, as Florida’s Gulfstream Park has one of its biggest days of racing this year. Patrons can watch and wager on a power-packed program that includes the $3-million Pegasus World Cup, $1-million Pegasus World Cup Turf and $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf. The spectacular 13-race program begins at 11 a.m. 

On Saturday, college hoops fans can head to The Big M and watch the Seton Hall Pirates take on the 14th-ranked Golden Eagles of Marquette at 1 p.m. The viewing party is in the second-floor Gallery, which is the perfect game day spot.

Join The Meadowlands’ TV team of Dave Little and Jessica Otten this weekend as they will be on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set with The Big M’s live Racing from The Meadowlands pre-game show. The broadcast will start at 5:45 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday with track announcer Ken Warkentin going over some of the track’s promotions before he gives out the scratches and driver changes on the program.

Check out the pre-game show on Saturday when Otten will interview Brett Beckwith in another edition of the “In the Sulky” segment. The interview will begin at approximately 5:50 p.m.

Free past performances for every race of every Meadowlands card are available by going to playmeadowlands.com.

Still surviving

The track’s Winter Meet Survival Challenge, powered by 123Racing, is in full swing, and when the contest concludes, cash prizes and Meadowlands swag will go to those at or near the top of the leaderboard in the free online competition.

TrackMaster is providing Platinum Past Performances for each night of the contest. The game covers the Winter Meet and concludes March 30.

The contest began Jan. 5 with 2,300 participants, and thus far, 700 have been eliminated, leaving 1,600 in the hunt for the top prize of $750. Currently, the top three in the standings are Turnpike Ted ($324), Badactor ($300) and Tomahawk ($279).

The winner will be determined by the highest total bankroll at the end of the challenge based on a $2 across-the-board wager on selections for three designated races on each program. However, to continue in the game, entrants have to “survive” by finishing in-the-money with at least one of their selections each day. Failing to do so or not making selections knocks the player out of the game.

To aid in the player’s survival, a “lucky horseshoe” is given. The lucky horseshoe is a “free pass” given to all challenge participants that allows the player to survive if he does not make selections for a race card or all three of his selections fail to hit the board.

Lots of prizes are up for grabs, with the grand prize being $750 plus a Meadowlands swag package. For more information, and to enter, click here.

(With files from The Meadowlands)