It may have only been four weeks since Ramona Hill beat the boys in a thrilling Hambletonian where wagering soared to heights not seen in some time, but for impatient Meadowlands fans, the wait for racing to return to the top track in the game is finally over, as live action at the mile oval will resume on Saturday (Sept. 5) at 7:15 p.m.
Given the 'new normal' that is life in the COVID-19 era, Saturday will not only mark the return of live racing, but simulcast fans will get a huge bonus, as they’ll be able to watch and wager on Thoroughbred racing’s biggest event, the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs, which has a post time of 7:01 p.m. Normally, the Derby would have been contested on the first Saturday in May.
Fans interested in finding out about limited attendance capacities, COVID protocols, seating and dining options at the Meadowlands Saturday should click here.
Hambletonian Day business saw handle exceed the $5-million mark ($5.7M) for the second time in 2020, while betting on the Hambletonian itself totalled $845,469, the highest number since 2012. The July 18 Meadowlands Pace was the centrepiece of the other $5-million handle, reaching that lofty plateau for the first time on 'Pace Night' since 2008.
Betting throughout the Summer Championship Meet (June 5 through August 8) was vigorous, as average nightly handle rose 10 per cent as compared to 2019 at $3,172,554. Handle per race increased eight per cent to $232,421, and total wagering was $63.4 million, up more than $9 million.
“The Meadowlands wishes to thank our faithful fans for their incredible support throughout this tumultuous year,” said track COO/GM Jason Settlemoir. “Now, as we move forward with our fall meeting, we know that our new expanded low-takeout wagering menu will offer horseplayers a plethora of not only low-takeout options, but bets that offer low-minimums as well, from start to finish on every Meadowlands program.”
What’s new on the betting menu are the Late Pick-5 and 10-cent High-Five, which brings to seven the total number of wagers on a given night that sport low 15 per cent takeouts.
That means that players can play 'bookend' 20-cent Pick-5s, one on the first five races on the program and the second on the last five.
The 20-cent Jackpot Super High-Five has been eliminated and been replaced with a traditional, non-jackpot version, which means that multiple winners – instead of just one – can cash in. The minimum bet has been lowered from 20 cents to 10 and the wagers will be offered on the fifth and 13th races nightly.
Here is what bettors are sure to find a very tasty menu of low-takeout wagers, effective Saturday night:
· Race 1: 20-cent Pick-5
· Race 3: 20-cent Pick-6
· Race 5: 10-cent High-Five
· Race 6: 50-cent Pick-4
· Race 9: 20-cent Pick-5
· Race 10: 50-cent Pick-4
· Race 13: 10-cent High-Five
WANT TO BET THE DERBY “ON THE GO”? The Meadowlands will offer Kentucky Derby wagering on both Friday and Saturday for those who need the convenience of a walk-up window given the track’s reduced capacity.
· There will be a betting window in 'Lot M' off Berry’s Creek Road. Tellers will take action from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
· Programs will be available for sale for not only the Derby and Meadowlands races, but for simulcast action as well.
DON’T MISS THE SHOW: Big M fans will be able to catch the Derby and then the show. The live simulcast 'Racing from the Meadowlands' in-house pre-game show will begin immediately after the conclusion of the Kentucky Derby.
THE SCHEDULE: Starting September 11, racing will be conducted through the end of 2020 on Fridays and Saturdays – except for Christmas Day, Friday, December 25 – with a first-race post time of 7:15 p.m.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: The next can’t-miss night at the Big M will take place on Saturday, November 21, when better than $2.8 million in purses will be up for grabs on 'Fall Final Four/TVG Finals Night,' as the Goldsmith Maid, Three Diamonds, Valley Victory, Governor’s Cup and all four TVG Finals highlight a spectacular card.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)