This Friday (March 29) and Saturday (March 30), the choices for Meadowlands’ players will be plentiful – whether it’s top-flight harness or Thoroughbred racing or the NCAA college basketball tournament’s Sweet 16, the action will be constant.
The second purse increase of the year at the ‘Big M’ will go into effect this weekend, thanks to Gov. Phil Murphy and state legislators.
One year ago, the corresponding race cards had purses that totaled $250,500. This weekend, that number will increase 50 per cent, as $375,750 will be up for grabs.
Wagering at the Big M has been strong all year long. Last Saturday (March 23) marked the fifth time betting exceeded the magic $3-million mark ($3,082,637) during 2019 not only at the mile oval, but in the entire industry.
Races one, four and five all saw wagering of over $300,000 with the three races accounting for a little more than $976,000 of action. The single-pool highlight of the night was the fourth race Exacta, which saw $103,276 in play despite the race being for maidens.
The 50-Cent Pick-4 pool reached six figures for the seventh time in 11 tries ($101,640) and those who held winning tickets walked away with $4,699.
Free program pages for the 50-Cent Pick-4 are available at playmeadowlands.com and ustrotting.com.
Last Friday’s debut of the Can-Am Pick-4 was a big success, as the wager that requires a bettor to select two winners at the Meadowlands and two more at Woodbine Mohawk Park took in $57,489 of action. The bet, which has a 20-cent base and low 15 per cent takeout, returned $596.51. Three of the winners’ odds were 7-2 or less. It was just one 11-1 shot that separated many of those who cashed from those who didn’t.
The wager, which will be offered on Fridays, gets underway with the 10th race at ‘WMP’ followed by the 10th at the Big M, the 11th at WMP and 11th at the Meadowlands. It is accessed by going to a separate pool on a separate race card. Go to ‘select track’ on betting terminals then go to ‘Can-Am Pick-4’ to play.
“All of us at the Meadowlands are pleased with how things are going,” said Big M COO/GM Jason Settlemoir. “Our higher purses have created increased interest by our horsemen, which creates big fields on which to wager, which our fans love. In addition, with the Can-Am Pick-4, we now have the two biggest tracks in harness racing – ours and Woodbine Entertainment’s – combining forces on a bet that created quite a stir in its initial offering and we are optimistic that trend will continue.”
SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS: In addition to a big 13-race Meadowlands live card, Saturday will be a huge day for simulcast players.
The 20-Cent Jackpot High-5 at Woodbine Mohawk Park will have a mandatory payout. The carryover stands at $525,140 for the last race on the card at WMP (Race 10, post time 10:10 p.m.). Check your Meadowlands live program for the past performances.
Entering Thursday’s card, the Rainbow Six carryover at Gulfstream Park stood at $2.4 million. In the event the bet is not hit Thursday or Friday, there will be a mandatory payout of the wager on Saturday (March 30), which just happens to be the same day as one of the major preps for the Kentucky Derby, the $1-million Florida Derby (Race 14, post time 6:30 p.m.).
But that’s not all.
For those who don’t mind getting up early, the $12-million Dubai World Cup will be simulcast from Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates.
The first of nine races on the card is scheduled for 7:45 a.m. (EDT). Gates at the Meadowlands open at 8:30 a.m. with the third race at Meydan slated to go at 8:50 a.m.
The Dubai World Cup (Race 9) is scheduled to go off at 12:40 p.m.
Purses on the Meydan card total an incredible $35 million.
SWEET 16 UP NEXT: The NCAA college basketball tournament is down to 16 teams and there are likely many brackets still in good shape since all four No. 1 seeds – Duke, North Carolina, Gonzaga and Virginia – are still alive.
Watch and wager on all of the action in the Meadowlands’ FanDuel Sportsbook, with games set to tip-off on Thursday (March 28) and Friday (March 29) at 7:09 p.m. before continuing through Saturday (March 30) and Sunday (March 31) with action in the Elite Eight round.
CHECK YOUR SCORECARD: There will be some lineup changes this weekend on ‘Racing from the Meadowlands,’ the live simulcast show seen coast-to-coast that begins every Friday and Saturday night at 6:42 p.m. EDT.
On Friday (March 29), Jessica Otten, normally seen conducting interviews in the back paddock or hosting promotions in the grandstand, will sit alongside host Dave Brower and serve as co-host of the Big M’s live presentation that will take a look at that evening’s feature races. In addition, the team of Brower and Otten will analyze the second edition of the Can-Am Pick-4.
The announcers’ booth will find owner/amateur driver/musician Peter Kleinhans on the microphone calling the races on both Friday and Saturday, while Mike Bozich, one-half of the 'Post Time with Mike and Mike' podcast team and track announcer at Harrah’s Philadelphia, will serve as the on-the-set co-host Saturday evening.
Post time on Friday and Saturday will be at 7:15 p.m.
A REAL DELIGHT: On Friday (March 29), head to the Big M’s ‘Pink’ restaurant for a spectacular buffet, the ‘Seafood D*Light.’
The cost is just $29.95. For reservations, call 201-THE-BIGM.
SPRING BREAK FEVER: On Saturday (March 30), enter the Meadowlands’ Spring Break Sweepstakes for your chance to win a vacation sponsored by FantaSea Resorts.
For complete details, see the entry form in the live racing program.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)