Despite many of the regular pilots in the driver colony taking some much-deserved time off, business at The Meadowlands has been booming nonetheless, and this weekend, that upward trajectory figures to continue as the on-track, patron-friendly Fan Appreciation Night promotion will close out the year on Saturday, Dec. 30.
“With our race office putting together competitive events and our horsemen supporting the entry box, last Saturday (Dec. 23) saw our first back-to-back-to-back $3-million nights at the windows since Hambletonian Day capped a streak of five straight $3-million cards,” said Jason Settlemoir, Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager.
New names can be seen from top to bottom in the driver standings over the span of four race cards that took place from Dec. 15-23.
In the Universal Driver Rating System, Johnathan Ahle, who won four races Saturday night, leads the way at (.301). Next up is the 20-year-old Brett Beckwith at (.279), followed by Pat Lachance (.269), Matt Athearn (.231), Bart Dalious (.222) and Braxten Boyd (.218).
Over the same span, Ahle’s 12 wins leads all drivers, with Boyd next with nine, followed by Tyler Miller, who has eight.
Since the track came back from its summer break on Oct. 20, the 23-year-old Boyd’s 21 wins – and 182 starts – are tops in the Big M standings, while Ahle and Miller are tied for third with 17 apiece. Yannick Gingras sits second with 18.
“Racing on the mile track has remained ultra-competitive,” said Settlemoir. “The balanced holiday mix of future stars and veterans offers an exciting dynamic that has been well-received by the betting public. The proof is in the $3-million nights of business we’ve had of late.”
In recent weeks, the 20-cent Pick-8 created an enormous amount of interest and excitement. The wager offers a carryover element that none other can match. The combination of low takeout and degree of difficulty resulted in potential returns on hitting the bet that were hard to believe.
For a bet that begins with a low 15 per cent takeout, a return of 85 perc ent is among the best that’s offered on a multi-leg wager like this. However, as the carryover grew while the Pick-8 continued to go unhit for eight consecutive race cards, the “negative takeout” went to places previously unseen at The Meadowlands, as the return to players went as high as 297 per cent (in the event the bet resulted in a winning ticket).
When the Pick-8 was hit last Saturday, the amount of “new money” pushed through the windows totalled $66,611 for a grand total of over $150,000. At the conclusion of the sequence, winners collected a return of 212 per cent, which translated to $12,377.42 in their pockets.
On Saturday, Dec. 30, fans can head to the races for Fan Appreciation Night at The Meadowlands. Track management will say “thank you” to their faithful fan base with free live racing programs, beginning at 5 p.m.
Fans can head over to the Cafe for some tasty concession items at even tastier prices. Hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn and soda (limit five of each item per transaction) will be available for $1 from 6-11 p.m. The Café will also offer Bud and Bud Light drafts for $2.
After the final two race cards of 2023 take place this Friday and Saturday, racing will then be conducted during January on the same Friday-Saturday basis. Post time at The Big M is 6:20 p.m. To clarify what may have been previously reported, there will be no Thursday racing during January. Once the New Jersey Racing Commission gives approval, The Meadowlands will release the live racing calendar for all of 2024.
With Ken Warkentin away on holiday, Dave Little will dust off his binoculars and call the races on Friday before Michael Carter heads into the announcer’s booth on Saturday. Also on hand throughout the weekend will be John Rallis, who played such a pivotal role for Big M TV on the night of Fall Final Four/FanDuel Championships Night late last month.
Free past performances for every race of every Meadowlands card are available by going to playmeadowlands.com.
Can you survive the winter?
On Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, The Meadowlands’ Winter Meet Survival Challenge, powered by 123Racing, kicks off with cash prizes and Meadowlands swag up for grabs in the free online competition.
TrackMaster will provide Platinum Past Performances for each night of the contest. The game covers the Meadowlands’ Winter Meet and concludes March 30, 2024.
The winner is 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 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.
The prize board:
- The grand prize is $750 plus a Meadowlands swag package
- The second-place prize is $500 plus a Meadowlands swag package
- The third-place prize is $250 plus a Meadowlands swag package
- Most winners: $200 plus a Meadowlands swag package
- Highest monthly bankroll: $100 bankroll (one winner in each month – January, February, March)
For more information, go to survival-challenge.com.
(With files from The Meadowlands)