After nearby storms ended a long Meadowlands Racetrack handle streak, wagering surged past the $3-million mark the very next night.
Lightning strikes that were visible from the track’s apron caused a long delay before the start of Friday’s (July 3) third race. The remainder of the night saw races conducted shortly after post parades, costing the track a chance at extending its streak of 15 consecutive programs with wagering of at least $2.5 million, as a total of $2.45 million was pushed through the windows.
Twenty-four hours later, the 'Big M' did not need fireworks, as total wagering skyrocketed past the $3-million mark for the fifth time in 2020.
At the end of Saturday’s (July 4) 13-race card, wagering totaled $3,027,797, good for an average per race of $232,907.
A closer look reveals that this was an Independence Day for the history books, as wagering on the card broke the $3-million barrier on July 4 for the first time since 2004.
Betting was vigorous on the track’s 'Big 4' multi-leg wagers. The 20-cent Pick-5 ($95,242), 20-cent Pick-6 ($17,159), Early 50-cent Pick-4 ($90,697) and Late 50-cent Pick-4 ($113,121) accounted for just over 10 per cent of the entire night’s wager, with $316,229 being bet on the popular puzzles.
GIRLS RULE: After 2019 saw the red-hot rivalry between Caviart Ally and US Horse of the Year Shartin N, this year’s top matchup again sports a pair of fabulous females, only this time, they are on the trot.
In Saturday’s $170,900 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial, Atlanta gunned down Manchego nearing the wire to even this year’s score between the two super mares at one victory apiece.
TETRICK ROLLS A SEVEN: Driver Tim Tetrick won four races Friday and three more Saturday to pace the driver colony with seven weekend victories. He was followed by Yannick Gingras (five) and Scott Zeron (four).
Jeff Cullipher led the trainers with four scores.
WHAT’S UP THIS WEEKEND? With a limited number of 12 horses having dropped into the entry box, there will only be one Meadowlands Pace elimination necessary on this Saturday night’s program at the Big M.
Conditions called for the two highest-earning horses this season getting the option to take a bye and go straight to next week's final. Trainer Mark Harder wanted Major Betts to race, so he’s in this Saturday. As a result, Chief Mate and Allywag Hanover, who were next in line in 2020 earnings, took the free passes.
The elimination has a field of 10, with the first eight in official order of finish advancing to the final. The elimination winner will get a major perk: That horse will draw a post position from one through six.
The field for Saturday night’s Meadowlands Pace elimination appears below.
2020 Meadowlands Pace Elimination
(Post - Horse - Listed Driver - Morning Line Odds)
1 - Major Betts - D. Dunn - 9-2
2 - Captain Barbossa - A. McCarthy - 5-1
3 - Tall Dark Stranger - Y. Gingras - 3-1
4 - Manticore - J. Stratton - 15-1
5 - Captain Kirk - D. Dunn - 10-1
6 - Roll With JR - T. Tetrick 10-1
7 - Mocha On The Rocks - S. Zeron - 20-1
8 - Catch The Fire - M. Wilder - 15-1
9 - Capt Midnight - A. McCarthy - 8-1
10 - Papi Rob Hanover - D. Miller - 7-2
Also on tap Saturday are a pair of $250,000 finals of the Graduate Series for four-year-old open pacers and trotters, with 2020’s top money-earning ($1.6 million) horse Bettors Wish headlining the pace and two-time Breeders Crown and New York Sire Stakes champion Gimpanzee the main attraction in the trot.
THE PACE IS THE RACE: The $631,650 Meadowlands Pace Final takes place Saturday, July 18. Post time for the 13-race program is 45 minutes earlier than usual, as 'The Biggest Night in Harness Racing' will kick off at 6:30 p.m.
WELCOME BACK: Fans were permitted back inside the Meadowlands for live and simulcast racing – as well as betting in the FanDuel Sportsbook – last week. The Big M is currently open for simulcasting every day (and live racing on the weekends), with the grandstand permitted to welcome patrons at 25 per cent capacity.
For complete details and what you need to know to attend, please read the following: http://playmeadowlands.com/News.aspx?id=20388.
HOW TO WATCH, HOW TO BET: For those fans who prefer to not attend the races but are still anxious to be a part of the action, they can watch the races on the Roberts Television Network (rtn.tv) or on the Television Games Network (TVG). To bet the races go to 4njbets.com, tvg.com or your favorite ADW (advance-deposit wagering) platform.
FIVES ARE HIGH: So now that you know how to place a bet, here’s an idea of what you might want to bet on.
The 20-cent Jackpot Super High-Fives have had carryovers that have been expanding for weeks, and the player who holds the only winning ticket on either one will rake the entire pot.
The carryover for Friday’s fifth race is $61,750, and for the 13th race, it’s $75,268.
ASHLEY ON THE WAY: The Meadowlands’ Dave Brower, Dave Little, Ken Warkentin and Jessica Otten will be joined this weekend and next by Ashley Mailloux, who will be on hand to bolster the TV broadcast team.
Mailloux is the paddock analyst and handicapper at Fort Erie Racetrack. She also contributes – and freelances – for Post Time with Mike and Mike, America’s Best Racing, the Maryland Jockey Club and the Horse Racing Radio Network (HRRN).
On Friday, she’ll sit beside Brower and serve as co-host of the live simulcast presentation (at 6:45 p.m.), and Saturday and next weekend, she’ll provide pre- and post-race interviews for the major stakes races from the back paddock.
FREE STUFF: For free past performances of some key races and wagers, go to playmeadowlands.com. Friday night, the Late 50-cent Pick-4 and Late 20-cent Jackpot Super High-Five (races 10-13) will be available. On Saturday, races eight through 13 will be available, so that the Meadowlands Pace elimination and both $250,000 Graduate Series finals are available to players.
CHECK OUT THE PICKS: For those who need to get a leg up on the action, go to playmeadowlands.com to see track oddsmaker and analyst Dave Brower’s selections and commentary. Go to the 'handicapping' drop down and then go to 'race reviews.'
Additionally, track announcer Ken Warkentin’s blog is available on the site and offers his picks and analysis. Last Saturday, Warkentin was on fire, giving out six winners, two cold exactas, one cold trifecta, nine exacta boxes and four trifecta boxes.
TWEET THE TEAM: Stay in touch on Twitter with the Big M’s Brower (@eedoogie), Little (@DaveLittleBigM), Warkentin (@kenvoiceover) and Otten (@JessicaOtten1) anytime, but especially on race night. Check in everyday for Meadowlands news and updates at those handles, as well as at @TheMeadowlands.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)