If your Christmas bankroll needs a boost, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to cash a big ticket this weekend at The Meadowlands.
The mile oval will serve up a 10-race ‘appetizer’ on Thursday (Dec. 20), before a pair of cards that would qualify anywhere as a ‘main course’, with 14 races on both Friday (Dec. 21) and Saturday (Dec. 22). Post time for all three evenings of live racing is 7:15 p.m.
Big fields will rule throughout the second to last three-card race week of the year at the Big M, with 29 of the 38 races featuring full 10-horse fields.
“Big fields are what bettors want,” said Jason Settlemoir, the track’s chief operating officer and general manager. “Our fans will have plenty of chances to make a score over the course of the three programs.”
Settlemoir also had this message: “At this time, I’d also like to wish everyone on staff here at Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, as well as all of our owners, trainers, drivers and grooms, and, of course, our faithful fans, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.”
GUARANTEED DEEP POOLS: On Friday and Saturday night, the track will offer its $25,000 guaranteed 50-cent Pick-5 as well as its 50-cent Pick-4, which has a $50,000 pool promise. Both wagers have a low 15 percent takeout and free program pages are available at both www.playmeadowlands.com and www.ustrotting.com.
HIGH-FIVE CARRYOVER IN TORONTO: Simulcast fans are sure to have big interest in the final race on the Saturday (Dec. 22) card at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Assuming the Jackpot Super High-Five is not hit Thursday or Friday, Saturday will bring a gigantic pot of gold since the track will have a mandatory payout on the wager.
The current carryover (before the start of Thursday’s card) is at $324,890.
THE BIG WINNERS: Last weekend, driver Andy Miller and trainer Nick Surick, who are a remarkably potent pair at Freehold Raceway, did plenty of damage at the Meadowlands.
During the course of last week’s two programs (Dec. 13-14), Andy Miller visited the winner’s circle five times. Leading driver Andy McCarthy won four while Brett Miller had three victories.
Surick topped all trainers with three scores after taking the final three races on the Thursday (Dec. 13) card. Jamie Gerard had a pair of horses visit the winner's circle.
KLEINHANS TO CALL: Tonight marks the third of four “Borrow Ken’s Binoculars” Thursdays at the Big M as the voice of the track, Ken Warkentin, takes a seat on the set of the live “Racing from the Meadowlands” simulcast show as well as the SportsNet New York recap production.
Serving as track announcer will be Peter Kleinhans, a longtime horseman and occasional fill-in on the Big M’s TV shows. Kleinhans has called at many tracks over the years, including stints as the regular announcer at the now-defunct Lakeshore Meadows, as well as Hoosier Park, Chester Downs (now Harrah’s Philadelphia) and The Red Mile.
NFL SATURDAY ACTION: A pair of National Football League games with playoff ramifications take place on Saturday (Dec. 22), and Meadowlands fans cannot only bet on a superb card of harness racing, but also make wagers on the NFL doubleheader.
The track’s FanDuel Sportsbook will take action on the Washington Redskins-Tennessee Titans tilt (4:30 p.m.) as well as the Baltimore Ravens-Los Angeles Chargers game (8:20 p.m.).
Sports betting enthusiasts are reminded that the hours at the sports book are Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-1 a.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m.-2 a.m. and Sunday, 8 a.m.-1 a.m. (the sports book will close when all live U.S. events have been completed).
PAY NOTHING, HIT BIG: On Saturday (Dec. 22), the Big M is hosting a handicapping tournament, and patrons are sure to love the entry fee: Nothing!
The rules: Each participant makes mythical $2 across-the-board wagers (win, place and show) on selections for races two through 10 at the Meadowlands. Contestants must make their mythical selections prior to the second race on the official contest entry form and turn them into a contest official.
If a horse is scratched, the participant receives the post-time favourite, and if the Meadowlands cancels due to inclement weather, the contest is canceled. The winner will be determined by the highest total mythical bankroll at the conclusion of the 10th race and will receive a $1,300 spot in the World Harness Handicapping Championship Final on April 6, 2019.
For more details on the WHHC, visit this link.
(Meadowlands)