The Meadowlands is always the place to play because of the many action options offered at the multi-faceted facility that offers sports betting, horse race simulcasting and, of course, live world-class harness racing.
But this weekend (Friday, Feb. 9 and Saturday, Feb. 10), things figure to be at a high-fever pitch, given how hot the harness handle has been of late, along with a certain football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers that will take place on Sunday, Feb. 11.
“With temperatures predicted to be springlike, we are expecting a big turnout with all that we have going on this weekend at The Meadowlands,” said Jason Settlemoir, Meadowlands' Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. “Last Friday and Saturday, we had our biggest weekend in terms of handle this year as $6.9 million [USD] was bet on our races.
“This weekend, America celebrates one of the biggest sporting events of the year. The big game starts a streak of great entertainment, food, fun, sports wagering and racing presented live. The Meadowlands provides a lively and safe weekend destination for those looking to get out socially in the Metropolitan Area. We offer live and simulcast racing, one of the world’s most popular sportsbooks and a wide variety of culinary and entertainment options.”
After wagering $3,276,820 USD last Friday, Feb. 2, the total action on Saturday, Feb. 3 was $3,631,898 USD, meaning handle came just $92,000 USD short of reaching the $7 million USD mark for the weekend. The last time the $7 million USD hurdle was cleared was Hambletonian weekend (Aug. 4-5, 2023). The last two Saturdays produced the two biggest nights of business at The Big M thus far this year. On Jan. 27, handle was a 2024 best $3,779,096 USD.
Multi-race wagering remains extremely popular at the mile oval, as the “Big Three” – comprising the 20-cent Pick-5 and the two 50-cent Pick-4s – got big play last Saturday. The Pick 5 took in $71,296 USD, while the Early and Late Pick 4s saw $95,895 USD and $93,557 USD pushed through the windows, respectively.
Speaking of multi-leg bets, this Friday, 20-cent Pick-8 players will be shooting for some free green, as the wager’s pool will start out with a carryover of $5,913. The Pick-8 is offered on races four through 11 and players are reminded that past performances for every race of every Meadowlands card are offered free of charge at playmeadowlands.com.
The Meadowlands Amateur Driving Club returned last Friday, and the response from bettors was vigorous. In fact, betting on the first race (the first of two MADC dashes on the card), took in $364,050 USD, the biggest single-race handle in United States harness racing in 2024.
After the second MADC dash took in over $200,000 USD, total handle on the amateur events was $565,835 USD, an average of $282,917 USD. For perspective, if $282,917 USD was the average for a 14-race program, the handle would total $3.96 million USD.
“The MADC returned with super results,” said Settlemoir. “Those races provide some of the most competitive and popular events in the nation.”
Professional football’s championship game takes place on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Naturally, fans can get all of their action on the big game in the FanDuel Sportsbook, which is located inside the grandstand at The Meadowlands. There are plenty of huge HD TVs spread throughout the building along with self-service and teller-operated wagering machines available.
There will be a VIP Watch Party with Marc Malusis and former New York Giants great Carl Banks hosted by The Big M for the big game on Sunday. The event, which will require a ticket, will feature a live Q&A with PIX11/WFAN host Malusis along with his special guest, Banks, who was twice a part of championship teams.
What can patrons expect?
- Seating that overlooks the FanDuel Sportsbook and its giant screens on the floor below
- Numerous screens from wall to wall
- Table, bar and lounge-style seating
- Football swag and other giveaways
- Seating starts at 5:30 p.m.
- Q&A at 6 p.m.
- Game time at 6:30 p.m.
About the tickets:
- All tickets include tax, tip and access to the game-day buffet
- Entry starts at 5:30 p.m. Your ticket guarantees a seat(s) in your section, but selection is first come, first served
- Single Bar Seat: $60 USD
- Two-Top Table: $120 USD
- Three-Person Couch: $300 USD
- Four-Top Table overlooking FanDuel Sportsbook: $250 USD
About the food:
- Wings with three sauces: Buffalo, Sweet n’ Spicy, BBQ
- Hot Dogs
- Hamburgers
- Chicken Fingers
- Fries
- Dessert
To purchase tickets, click here.
Join The Meadowlands’ TV team of Jessica Otten and Dave Little 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.
Live racing takes place every Friday and Saturday with a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m.
Elvis And Elton Tribute Show sold out
Back by popular demand, the Elvis and Elton Tribute Show takes place at The Big M on Saturday, Feb. 10. No more tickets are available as the show is sold out.
Patrons will experience the music of Elvis Presley and Elton John, featuring a live band. Ralph Carey performs as Elvis and Russ Davis is Elton. Each performer will do a set before both come back to do a duet for the third and final act. Tickets were only $25.
The show will take place inside on the ground level in Trackside and begins at 8 p.m. The show will conclude at approximately 10 p.m.
(With files from The Meadowlands)