This Saturday's card at The Meadowlands exemplifies what makes the winter racing season so intriguing to the horseplayer.
Thirteen compelling races comprised of 128 entries with several guaranteed wagers and a rising Hi-5 Jackpot provide ample opportunity for the big score.
The popular Pick 5 opens the evening's wagering menu with a $30,000 guaranteed pool then a pair of Pick 4's (guaranteed at $25,000 and $50,000) blend into racing's most exciting new proposition, the 8% take-out Jackpot Hi-5.
This 20¢ base wager offers unmatched value by paying 75 per cent of each pool to successful ticket holders while 25 percent is carried toward the unique ticket jackpot. The Hi-5 is offered twice each night with the last race jackpot pool going into Friday's card now over $87,000, which could climb into six figures if it holds up into Saturday.
On the racetrack the Sonsam Series, named for the speed merchant winner of the 1979 Meadowlands Pace, opens with a pair of $17,500 divisions of leg one.
Popular trainer George Teague, Jr owns an interesting prospect named Wiggle It Jiggleit in the first division (race 7). Sired by the Teague-trained Mr Wiggles, the gelding has won both career starts in fast times and makes his first foray to "The Mecca". Montrell Teague drives for trainer Clyde Francis.
The eleventh race is the second Sonsam division and there are several interesting prospects entered to go in this one. Rockeyed Optimist and Fritzie Pic Up Man are both two-for-two on the new year, something has to give on Saturday.
The Saturday night card kicks off at 7:15 p.m., right around the time that California Chrome, Shared Belief and Hoppertunity hook up in the $500,000 San Antonio stakes in California.
(Meadowlands)