The Meadowlands Racetrack has released a preview of this coming weekend's action at the East Rutherford, New Jersey oval, which will include Kindergarten Classic finals for two-year-olds of both sexes and gaits, and the introduction of a refreshed wagering menu.
The 'Big M' will be the place for Standardbred racing's biggest events for the next three weeks. This Saturday’s (Nov. 7) program will kick everything off with four Kindergarten Classic finals for two-year-olds of both sexes and gaits.
Anoka Hanover will try to up her winning streak to six in the $252,340 filly trot, while Lindysmusclemania and Jula Muscle Pack – both winners in their final Kindergarten preliminaries – will take on Peter Haughton champion Zenith Stride in the $207,570 trot for colts and geldings.
Breeders Crown winner Fire Start Hanover is the marquee attraction in the $151,030 filly pace, while Simon Says Hanover – who will be seeking his fifth consecutive score – will take on Breeders Crown winner Summa Cum Laude (who dead heated with Perfect Sting) in the $204,050 colt and gelding pace.
Once the Kindergarten is over, it will be time for all Big M watchers to get ready for the third biggest program of the calendar year – after Hambletonian Day and Meadowlands Pace Night – when Fall Final Four/TVG Finals Night takes place on November 21, with many Breeders Crown participants expected to be on hand.
That evening, two-year-olds will once again be in the spotlight, as the Governor’s Cup (colt pace), Three Diamonds (filly pace), Valley Victory (colt trot) and Goldsmith Maid (filly trot) make up the Fall Final Four, with total purses of roughly $1.8 million.
In addition, year-end divisional honours could be determined by what happens in the four TVG Finals, which are the Mares Trot, Open Trot, Mares Pace and Open Pace, a fabulous foursome which will see just over $1 million get doled out.
CUP RUNNETH OVER: One of the biggest events on every track’s simulcast calendar is the Breeders’ Cup, and this weekend the best in Thoroughbred racing will be at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, KY for the 14-race extravaganza.
The 'Cup' will be the centrepiece of the Meadowlands’ simulcast offerings over the weekend, as the event will begin with five races on Friday (Nov. 6) and conclude on Saturday (Nov. 7) with nine more dashes, the last of which is the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.
The first Breeders’ Cup race on Friday is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., while Saturday’s opener will load into the gate at 12:02 p.m. The Classic carries a post time of 5:13 p.m.
BETTING MENU UPDATE: The Meadowlands is refreshing its betting menu. There will be some addition and subtraction of wagers, and the track is bringing back guaranteed pools to its most popular plays.
On a normal 13-race card, gone is the Race 5 ten-cent Pentafecta and Race 9 twenty-cent Pick-5, but those who liked the 20-cent Survivor will no doubt be pleased that bet is back, albeit in a seven-race format rather than the former 10-race marathon.
Effective, Saturday (Nov. 7), here is the new wagering lineup for a normal 13-race card. Each bet offers a low 15 per cent takeout:
· Race 1: 20-cent Pick-5 ($50,000 guaranteed)
· Race 3: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7
· Race 6: 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed)
· Race 8: 20-cent Pick-6
· Race 10: 50-cent Pick-4 ($40,000 guaranteed)
· Race 13: 10-cent Pentafecta
“We are aware that many of our fans wanted the Survivor wager back,” said Meadowlands Racetrack COO/GM Jason Settlemoir, “and we are happy to oblige them with the Survivor Pick-7.”
On Friday night (Nov. 6), the Meadowlands will offer a 12-race card, so there will be one less Pick-4 offered, but because of a two-day carryover in the 20-cent Pick-6, a $25,000 guaranteed pool will be offered on the wager that kicks off in the sixth race. There will also be $50,000 promises on the first race Pick-5 and ninth race Pick-4, meaning that during the weekend, a total of $265,000 in guaranteed green will be up for grabs.
FREE PPs: For free past performances of Meadowlands races, courtesy of the United States Trotting Association and TrackMaster, go to playmeadowlands.com, where one can access races six through 12 on the Friday night card and races one through five for Saturday.
TWEET THE TEAM: Stay in touch on Twitter with the Big M’s Dave Brower (@eedoogie), Dave Little (@DaveLittleBigM), Ken Warkentin (@kenvoiceover), Andrew Demsky (@shadesonracing) and Jessica Otten (@JessicaOtten1). Check in everyday for Meadowlands news and updates at those handles, as well as @TheMeadowlands and #playbigm.
CHECK OUT THE PICKS: For those who need to get a leg up on the action, go to playmeadowlands.com to see track oddsmaker and analyst Brower’s selections and commentary. Click on this link to check out Friday’s card. Additionally, track announcer Warkentin’s blog is available on the site and offers his picks and analysis. On race nights, access picks and plays from the Big M TV team at #playbigm or at @TheMeadowlands.
CHECK OUT THE SHOW: As always look for the 'Racing from The Meadowlands' live in-house simulcast show every Friday and Saturday night. The Big M’s regular team of Brower and Little will be on set both nights this weekend in addition to providing winner’s circle interviews for the Kindergarten Classic. The pre-game show begins at 6:42 p.m. First race is at 7:15 p.m.
If you want to watch all the action at home, go to rtn.tv or your favourite ADW platform to catch every race live.
GET YOUR FOOTBALL ACTION: You can watch and wager on all the National Football League and college football action, as well as other sports, when the Big M’s FanDuel Sportsbook is open for business from 10 a.m. – midnight Sunday through Friday and from 10 a.m. – 2 a.m. on Saturday.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)