For harness racing fans that love tournaments, fast horses and plenty of Pick-4 action, the Meadowlands Racetrack is the place to be this weekend.
On Saturday (April 13), the ‘Big M’ will host the final of the 2019 World Harness Handicapping Championship.
The tournament, presented by DerbyWars.com, is the only one for harness players to feature a guaranteed prize pool. While many participants have secured spots via qualifiers leading up to the final, those who wish to walk up and play can do so.
There is a total fee of $1,300 to get into the game; $1,000 is a non-refundable entry fee, while $300 goes toward a ‘betting card.’ Players have a choice of eight Meadowlands races, plus two designated mandatory races (one from Buffalo Raceway and one from the ‘Big M’). One must wager at least $30 per race with a maximum bet of $100. Win, Place, Show or any combination of WPS wagers only.
One may wager on one horse per race. Contestants keep all pari-mutuel winnings. Three entries per person maximum.
Based on 125 entries, $125,000 in prize money will be up for grabs in the WHHC, with the winner walking away with $50,000. Even if there are not 125 entries, first place is guaranteed at $40,000.
The top 10 finishers will cash, plus, players keep their bankrolls. All entry fees will be returned as prize money and the order of finish is based on the highest accumulated pari-mutuel earnings.
Walk-up registrations will be available until 7 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 201-842-5015 or head to playmeadowlands.com/uploadedFiles/2019WHHCFinal_Rev2.pdf.
There is a last-chance qualifier this evening (Thursday, April 11). For details, head to derbywars.com/tournaments/list/whhc.
BURNING RUBBER: Wheels Of Fire, whose 1:49.1 mile on March 30 stands as the fastest of the year at the Meadowlands, will return in Saturday’s second race, a high-range conditioned pace. He’ll start out as the 2-1 morning line choice from Post 4 for trainer Ron Burke and driver Yannick Gingras.
FRIDAY IS ‘CAP4’ DAY: The Can-Am Pick-4, a wager which requires one to select two winners at Woodbine Mohawk Park and two at the Meadowlands, continues its run with edition No. 4 Friday night (April 12).
Last week, the total pool was a best-yet $65,235, and many cashed in as a sequence of ‘figure’ horses, which resulted in a payoff of $48.84 for the 20-cent-base bet, which sports a low 15 per cent takeout.
The CAP4 will begin with Woodbine Mohawk Park’s 10th race. The 10th from the Meadowlands, WMP’s 11th and the Big M’s 11th will then complete the wager, which, from start to finish, takes only about 40 minutes to complete.
SIX-FIGURE FUN: The Meadowlands’ 50-Cent Pick-4, which is available on races eight through 11 nightly, continues to be as popular as ever.
After a month of March that saw pools average just over $100,000, the first weekend of April saw that trend extend, as the two Pick-4 pools totalled $204,486, an average of $102,243.
Harness racing’s best bet, which paid a handsome $3,874 to those lucky enough to hold winning tickets Saturday, has a low 15 per cent takeout. Free program pages are available at ustrotting.com and playmeadowlands.com.
They may not have reached six figures as of yet, but 20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five players will have a pair of big pots to shoot for when racing resumes Friday at 7:15 p.m.
In the fifth race, a carryover of $76,611 will await, while in the 13th, the pot will begin at $47,406.
Speaking of big betting, last Friday’s GSY Series event may have been for amateur drivers, but players bet it like real pros.
Total handle on the first race was $304,029 on the highly competitive event. More of the same can be expected when the GSY resumes Friday, once again in the opener on the 13-race card.
1 MILLION PENNY GIVEAWAY: On all live racing nights during April, make sure to try and win one or more of many prizes totalling $10,000 in the ‘Big M’s ‘1 Million Penny Giveaway.’
Guests may enter once per live race day. The month-long contest will conclude on Saturday, April 27.
For complete information and a list of prizes, head to playmeadowlands.com/event_detail.aspx?id=16148
‘MASTER’ THE GOLF: The ‘Hambletonian of Professional Golf,’ The Masters, will take place this Thursday through Sunday. Watch and wager in the comfort of the Meadowlands’ FanDuel Sportsbook, where one can not only bet the golf, but also on all NBA, NHL and MLB games.
THE TAXMAN COMETH WITH GREEN: Come to the Big M on Friday (April 12) and get a refund of up to $500 – and you don’t even have to file your taxes at the track. Just fill out the entry form in the live program and be one of 10 contestants selected to pick a piece off the prize board after the sixth race.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)