Meadowlands Racetrack management is never afraid to make changes when they think they’re warranted.
With the 20-cent Pick-8 not quite creating the level of expected excitement since its inception seven months ago, The Big M has discontinued the wager while adding a second 20-cent Pick-5 to its popular low-takeout laundry list of multi-leg puzzles.
“The wagering public speaks every day and every night,” said Jason Settlemoir, Meadowlands Racetrack's Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. “They are the barometer for what works and what doesn’t. The Pick-8, despite seeing a total pool of $150,000 [USD] earlier this meet, did not make the cut as we head toward the Championship Meet, which begins the first weekend of May. The Late Pick-5 will be another popular low-takeout wager, making our all-star wagering lineup even stronger.”
The Meadowlands will continue to have eight nightly wagers that offer a chance for players to make a big hit while betting into big pools that offer a low takeout of 15 per cent. The new lineup of those wagers is listed below.
- Races 1-5: Early 20-cent Pick-5
- Races 2-8: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 (mandatory payout nightly)
- Races 4-9: 20-cent Pick-6
- Races 6-9: Early 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
- Race 7: 20-cent Pentafecta (Hi-5)
- Races 8-12: Late 20-cent Pick-5
- Races 10-13: Late 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
- Race 11: 20-cent Pentafecta (Hi-5)
“The Meadowlands has always known that responding to the horseplayer and providing them big pools along with value has to be part of a successful business model,” said Settlemoir. “Stating that, the evolution of The Big M wagering menu through the years is nothing short of incredible. There was a time when there was only one trifecta on a program and the daily double was the only multi-leg wager on the card. The evolution continues this Friday, as The Meadowlands will roll out a Late Pick-5 that starts on the eighth race every night.”
Settlemoir said that the numbers indicate that adding a Pick-5 is a good idea, as thus far during April, the six Pick-5s – one per race card for six race cards – have taken in a total of $447,426 USD, an average of $74,571 USD per card.
According to Settlemoir, placing a Pick-5 later in the action will give bettors who join in wagering at The Meadowlands during the middle portion of the program an opportunity to participate in what’s a very popular bet at the mile oval.
“Just like the Early Pick-5,” said Settlemoir. “The new Late Pick-5 will have a 20-cent minimum and a 40 per cent takeout reduction from the past, down to 15 per cent. To accommodate our new arrival, the wagering menu will be shuffled, with the end result being one of the most exciting and low takeout oriented wagering menus in all of racing.”
Live harness racing takes place this Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27 with a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)