It was another banner year from a business perspective at The Meadowlands, as for the third time in the last four years, the New Jersey track reported average daily wagering topped $3 million USD.
“It’s our goal to wager $3 million on any given card,” said Jason Settlemoir, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of The Meadowlands. “Whether it’s Meadowlands Pace Night or an ordinary winter Saturday night, that’s the bar we always try to clear, and we were fortunate enough to do that a majority of the time during 2024.”
Over the course of the year, betting bettered the $3-million USD mark on 46 occasions at the mile oval, meaning wagering exceeded that lofty plateau 52 per cent of the time.
After $2,894,453 USD was wagered on the 14-race card on Saturday, Dec. 28, action for the 88 programs contested during 2024 totalled $264,427,375 USD, an average per card of $3,004,856 USD.
Many of harness racing’s biggest programs during the course of any year take place at The Meadowlands, and, not surprisingly, the track's biggest day on the harness racing calendar resulted in its biggest day at the windows, as an industry-best $7.4 million USD was put in play on Hambletonian Day five months ago.
These are the top five handles on a single card during 2024 at The Meadowlands:
- $7,427,223 USD (Aug. 3, Hambletonian Day)
- $5,136,129 USD (July 13, Meadowlands Pace Night)
- $4,356,475 USD (Oct. 26, Breeders Crown Finals – Night 2)
- $3,870,638 USD (May 4, Kentucky Derby Day)
- $3,779,096 USD (Jan. 27)
Breeders Crown weekend (Oct. 25-26) was a record-setter. Since the four races on Friday and eight on Saturday format went into existence, The Meadowlands total handle of $7,372,478 USD in 2021 had stood as the standard. But this year, when Friday’s (Breeders Crown Finals – Night 1) total of $3,369,424 USD was added to Saturday’s action, the new mark is $7,725,899 USD.
Dave Miller was the leading driver at The Big M during 2024 with 106 wins. He was followed by Dexter Dunn (98), Todd McCarthy (86), Andy McCarthy (82) and Yannick Gingras (78).
With a record six Breeders Crown wins and five more scores on Fall Four/FanDuel Championships Night, it’s no surprise that Dunn was the leading money-earning driver with $5.9 million.
Ron Burke was the leading trainer with 60 victories. He was followed by Nancy Takter (46), Jeff Cullipher (40), Ake Svanstedt (35) and Per Engblom (33).
Svanstedt led in money earnings with $3.568 million USD, slightly more than runner-up Burke, who accrued $3.560 million USD.
Post position five once again was the best starting berth at The Big M, winning 15.3 per cent of the time. Next was post six (14.7), post seven (11.9), post one (11.6) and post three (11.3).
During the month of January, live harness racing will be conducted every Friday and Saturday with a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m. The live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pre-game show starts at 5:45 p.m. when track announcer Ken Warkentin opens up the mic with a scene set and program changes before the team of Jessica Otten and Dave Little take over from the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set with news, notes, selections and a look at the night’s featured races. Northfield Park’s Michael Carter will be on hand this weekend conducting interviews from the back paddock throughout the evening.
The Meadowlands offers free programs on every race of every race card on its website at playmeadowlands.com.
Every night, The Meadowlands offers a marvelous menu of popular wagers that offer a low 15 per cent takeout:
- 20-cent Pick-5: Race 1-5
- 20-cent Survivor Pick-7: Races 3-9 (mandatory payout nightly)
- 50-cent Pick-4: Races 6-9 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
- 20-cent Pick-6: Races 8-13
- 50-cent Pick 4: Races 10-13 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
- 10-cent Non-jackpot Pentafecta (Hi-5): Race 14
Horseplayers are invited to the track on Friday, Jan. 17 for the first of what will be a monthly handicapping contest with a prize pool of $1,000 USD. Contestants must be on-site to participate and the top two finishers earn a spot in a $10,000 USD invitation-only handicapping contest that takes place in December.
One of The Big M’s most popular giveaways takes place on Saturday, Jan. 18, with the track’s 2025 Calendar Giveaway, which is chock full of photos commemorating highlights of the 2024 season. Starting at 6 p.m., the first 1,000 guests will receive a calendar (one per person).
A great college basketball matchup will be in the spotlight on Saturday, Jan. 25, when the Seton Hall Pirates head to Omaha, Ne. to take on the Creighton Blue Jays in a 12:30 p.m. tip-off. Fans can watch the action at The Meadowlands in The Gallery.
One of The Meadowlands’ more popular promotions is the Chili Cook-Off, and the winter edition of the tasty treat takes place on Saturday, Feb. 1. There will be prizes for Homestyle Chili, Red Chili, People’s Choice Chili, Best Booth and Salsa. If you are a cook, test how your skills in the kitchen stack up against everybody else’s in the contest. Not a cook? Get yourself some free samples all night long.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)