Fans of the 20-cent Pick-6 at The Meadowlands will be out in force Friday night (Jan. 28) hoping to turn a negative into a positive when The Big M kicks off its 26-race weekend of live action at 6:20 p.m.
Last Saturday (Jan. 22), for a second straight race card, the Pick-6 failed to yield a winning ticket, so when racing resumes, there will be a carryover of $14,033 up for grabs. Those who had five correct were paid $672.72.
"Pick-6 carryovers can create pools where the bettor gets incredible value," said Meadowlands host Dave Little. "Take what would transpire this Friday, for instance. If $80,000 in 'new money' is poured into the pool, there will be a 'negative takeout,' meaning bettors with all six winners on their tickets will get back more than what’s wagered that night.
"That $80,000 is subject to the low 15 per cent takeout, which means $12,000 goes back to the operator, leaving $68,000. The carryover is not subject to the 'rake,' so the total pool would be $82,033, which creates a 'negative takeout,' where the return to players is more than what is bet live. In addition, the 20-cent minimum bet allows players to 'spread' their tickets with multiple combinations, increasing their chances of hitting big."
The Pick-6 takes place on races eight through 13 and free past performances for every race of every Meadowlands race card are available by going to playmeadowlands.com.
GINGRAS THE GREAT: Harness racing’s hottest hands belong to Yannick Gingras, as the 42-year-old has left a path of destruction through The Meadowlands’ driver colony in the early stages of 2022.
The Hall of Fame bound pilot won six times on the Saturday night card at The Big M – including a victory in the feature with Covered Bridge – to up his driver-colony leading win total to 24. Joe Bongiorno is a distant second with 13.
Gingras has been remarkably consistent, winning at least three races on each of the six race cards conducted this year.
“It’s been horsepower,” said Gingras of his wicked winter. “Ronnie [Burke] is racing a little more this [winter] than last year and the horses are in the right spot. I don’t feel any sharper, honestly. I don’t get too up or down. I feel good right now. It’s just the way the cards are rolling.”
Remarkably, only one of “The Green Hornet’s” Saturday winners went off as the favourite.
LIVE RACING SCHEDULE: Racing at The Big M is conducted on a Friday-Saturday basis and has a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m. The track’s live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pregame show kicks off nightly at 5:47 p.m.
OTTEN TO HOST: Big M TV’s Jessica Otten will take a turn in the host’s chair this Friday, and on the pregame show, she’ll interview Lauren Harmon during the track’s popular “In the Sulky” segment, which begins at approximately 5:50 p.m.
Harmon is a native of Michigan who grew up in a racing family – her dad Don Harmon and stepmother Krista Williams Harmon have a stable in the Midwest. Lauren, the niece of longtime Big M horseman Rob Harmon, is second trainer at thestable.ca in Ohio and drives in amateur events there.
WEATHER ALERT: With the possibility of bad weather hitting the area, those who want to make sure that there is live racing or simulcasting at The Meadowlands should check out the track’s website (playmeadowlands.com) or call 201-THE-BIGM before heading to the track.
(With files from Meadowlands)