The Meadowlands Monthly Handicapping Contest has included 10 monthly tests offering $1,000 USD in prize money. But the best part of the 10-part challenge might be the crescendo, which takes place this Saturday, Dec. 13.

That’s when the top two finishers from the “preliminaries” will return for a limited invitation, 20-entry tussle, when the total prize pool will improve tenfold to $10,000 USD.

It’s unclear if Nick Montemurro likes to play poker, but even if he doesn’t, he is no doubt aware that he heads into Saturday with the strongest hand at the table.

Montemurro will have four entries in the finale. Four of a kind is a hand that would be the envy of any poker player.

The player with the highest bankroll at the end of the night will collect the first prize of $5,000 USD. Second through fifth-place finishers will cash in for $2,000 USD, $1,500 USD, $1,000 USD and $500 USD, respectively.

“I’m surprised more people don’t do it,” said Montemurro of the contest that has no entry fee. 

All one has to do is purchase a $100 USD betting card so their action can be tracked. They keep whatever is left on the card. 

“If you’re going out to the track and you’re going to blow $100, you might as well get a card.

“It’s the same cast of characters and I’m a multiple-entry guy,” said Montemurro of the competition that has core players who participate just about every month. “That’s an unfair advantage, but anybody can do it. I saw a guy a couple of weeks ago who had eight entries. Compared to some other contests, the Meadowlands contest is good because you can make any wager that’s offered on the card.”

Montemurro, 67, has been going to The Big M since its 1976 beginning and hasn’t changed his ways much over nearly five decades.

“Pretty much I play the same way in the contest as I do when I am just playing for fun,” said Montemurro. “You don’t have to change your betting methods. I’m not really a gimmick guy, I’m a win, place and show guy.”

So, how did you get four entries in the final?

“Luck,” said Montemurro. “It really is. Everything is timing. In the last race, if a $40 horse wins, and I have just $20 left, I might have that horse. The multiple entries are the key. And I don’t usually don’t play chalk all that much.

“I have no game plan for Saturday. I’m going to wing it. You have to see how everything is going.”

Montemurro likes the fact that the top five will walk away with money at the end of the night. 

“If I sneak into fifth place and get $500, I’ll be very happy. I’ve been doing these contests for pretty much as long as they’ve had them.”

Sean Loebs won the November “qualifier” and also had a top-two finish in March, so he will have two entries on Saturday. Joining Loebs with a pair of entries are Gary Scogna, Karen Fossli and Robert Glaser.

The complete list of players who will be vying for the big prize are (there was no contest in September): Montemurro and Scogna (the top two from January); Michael Grasso and Montemurro (February); Loebs and Joe Barre (March); Glaser and Jim Bohnarczyk (April); Fossli and Russ Slader (May); Del Kern and Scogna (June); Fossli and Montemurro (July); Emile Issa and Montemurro (August); Rich Preziotti and Glaser (October); and Loebs and William Meisel (November).

Toy Drive Wraps Up This Week At Big M

This Friday, Dec. 12 is the last night to donate to the Meadowlands Racetrack’s Toys for Tots Collection Drive. All contributions can make a significant difference in a child's life this holiday season.

Retired New York Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa will be at the track on Friday to thank all who donate to this great cause.

The U.S. Marines Toys for Tots and Quincy Enunwa will personally deliver the collected toys to children at SBH Health System, a Safety Net Hospital in the Bronx, NYC on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at noon.

“We encourage all of our patrons and horsemen to donate a new unwrapped toy during this holiday season,” said Jason M. Settlemoir, GM/COO of the Meadowlands Racetrack. “Helping others in need is what the holiday season is all about.”

(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)