The five weekends of racing during the month of March showed why the best bet in all of harness racing is the Meadowlands’ 50-Cent Pick-4.
Betting throughout the month known for coming in like a lion and out like a lamb was downright ravenous. A total of $1,009,704 was bet on the 10 Pick-4s during the five weekends of live action, good for an average of $100,970 per pool. On March 2, the pot was a by-far 2019-best $134,613.
“Our fans love our Pick-4,” said the Big M’s COO/GM Jason Settlemoir. “With our horsemen continuing to support our entry box – due in large part to our increased purses – we have been able to card races with big fields, which our bettors love to play. The consistency of how the 50-Cent Pick-4 is bet at the Meadowlands is a reflection of how well things are going of late for not only that popular bet, but for us from an overall wagering perspective as well.”
The Pick-4, which carries a guaranteed $50,000 pool and low 15 per cent takeout, is offered nightly on races eight through 11. Free Pick-4 program pages are available at ustrotting.com and playmeadowlands.com.
Given the normally competitive racing and the multiple purse increases, betting has been strong at the Big M. A total of $29,298,646 was bet on races at the mile oval during March, good for a nightly average of $2,929,864 for the industry’s handle leader. Average wagering per race was $223,653. Three times during the month, total handle exceeded the magic $3-million mark.
When racing resumes Friday (April 5), racing fans will take their third shot at the new Can-Am Pick-4 wager. The bet, which has a 20-Cent base and 15 per cent takeout, requires fans to select the winners of two races at the Big M and two at Toronto’s Woodbine Mohawk Park. The wager begins with Race 10 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The first two ‘CAP4’s have seen pools of well over $50,000, as well as some handsome payoffs. On March 22, $596.51 was the return, while one week later, those who went four-for-four walked away with $780.98.
One of the appealing things about the Can-Am Pick-4 is that all four races are conducted in approximately 40 minutes, giving those who cash an opportunity to play more races without tying their money up for an extended period of time. CAP4 program pages are available for free at the websites mentioned above.
Racing will be conducted this Friday and Saturday night. The first of 13 races head to the gate both nights at 7:15 p.m.
AND THEN THERE WERE FOUR: The NCAA college basketball tournament is down to the semifinal round. Come on out to the Meadowlands’ FanDuel Sportsbook and watch and wager on the games while taking advantage of plenty of comfortable seating and a variety of food and drink options from which to choose.
On Saturday (April 6), Auburn takes on Virginia at 6:09 p.m. The second game pits Texas Tech against Michigan State in a game slated to begin at 8:49 p.m.
TEXT TO WIN: Cash and prizes will be up for grabs on Friday (April 5) when the Big M hosts ‘Text to Win’ night.
To qualify, one must be a member of the track’s text-to service. If you are not a member, text ‘NewBigM’ to 23819 to get in the game.
For more information, stop by the Players’ Club Desk just inside the main entrance.
1 MILLION PENNY GIVEAWAY: On all live racing nights during April, make sure to try and win one or more of many prizes totaling $10,000 in the Big M’s ‘1 Million Penny Giveaway.’
Guests may enter once per live race day beginning Friday (April 5). The contest concludes Saturday (April 27).
For complete information and a list of prizes, go to http://playmeadowlands.com/event_detail.aspx?id=16148
SPRUCE UP: On Saturday (April 6), enter the Meadowlands’ ‘Saturday Spruce Up’ drawing for a chance to win one of two 2019 Snapper lawn mowers.
The prizes are furnished by Clinton Tractor & Implement Co.
Check in at the Players Rewards Desk for complete details.
BOOK SIGNING: Senator Raymond J. Lesniak will be at the Meadowlands Monday (April 8) evening – the night of the NCAA college basketball championship game – signing copies of his book ‘Beating The Odds: The Epic Battle That Brought Legal Sports Betting Across America.’
The book signing takes place from 7-9 p.m. and all proceeds from the book will be gifted to the Lesniak Institute for American Leadership, which Lesniak formed last year.
To purchase a copy of the book, head to thelesniakinstitute.com/product/book.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)