When racing resumes at The Meadowlands on Friday night at 6:20 p.m., bettors have much to look forward to as seven highly competitive $20,000 divisions of the Kindergarten Series for two-year-olds of each sex and gait will create opportunities for players, especially those who like to play the 20-cent Pick-6.
The wager figures to have plenty of money in the pool, as last Saturday, the Pick-6 saw no winning tickets. That has created a carryover of $9,776 heading into Friday. The last time there was a Pick-6 carryover, over $40,000 in “new money” was added to a carryover of $10,855, creating a total pool of almost $52,000. Those who correctly selected all six winners collected a handsome $2,720, even though the sequence featured three favourites and no horse who was sent to the gate at odds longer than 3-1.
The wager could prove to be a gem for players, as the pool could once again pay out more than it takes in.
How?
The carryover is not subject to the already low 15 per cent takeout, thus, if there is $60,000 in new money bet, the “rake” would be only $9,000. You would then add the remaining $51,000 to the carryover and get a total of just a hair under $61,000, approximately $1,000 more than the total wagered, which is a “negative takeout.”
The Pick-6 begins in Race 8 on the 13-race card. Free past performances for all Meadowlands programs are available by going to playmeadowlands.com.
The Kindergarten Series will have legs three (September 17), four (September 24) and five (November 6) before the finals and consolations will be contested on November 13 for total purses that are estimated at $700,000.
$100,000 GUARANTEED: Each live racing night, both 50-cent Pick-4s will offer a guaranteed pool of $50,000. The wager is offered on Races 6-9 and 10-13.
WHO WILL DRINK FROM THE CUP? Simulcast patrons who love high-powered, stakes-calibre harness racing will be following the action from Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday night with great interest, as the seven-eighths-mile oval hosts Canada’s richest harness race, the $1 million North America Cup for three-year-olds on the pace.
The 13-race card begins at 7 p.m., with The Cup slated to go as Race 11 at 10:42 p.m.
The Cup has a superb field of 10 with the top two favourites off good-looking elimination wins.
Perfect Sting scored in 1:49.4 for driver Dave Miller and trainer Joe Holloway last week. The second-place Meadowlands Pace finisher (as the favourite) will take on Bulldog Hanover, the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold standout, who won his elim in 1:49 for Jody Jamieson and Jack Darling.
Also on the card is the $392,000 Peaceful Way for two-year-old filly trotters (featuring Venerable), $240,000 Goodtimes for three-year-olds on the trot (where Fashion Frenzie takes on Dancinginthedark M), $425,000 Fan Hanover for three-year-old pacing fillies (Fire Start Hanover vs. Hot Mess Express) and $640,000 Wellwood for trotting two-year-olds (King Of The North vs. Periculum). Purses on the card total over $3.2 million.
After the stakes are over, bettors will still have much to look forward to as the 13th and final race on the card will offer a $300,000 carryover on the 20-cent Hi-5, which will have an overflow field of 12, a mandatory payout and a pool likely to top $1 million.
Watch and wager on the action from Mohawk this Saturday and every night at The Big M in one of the best simulcast facilities in the country.
“The Grand Circuit should have an extraordinary 2021 fall showcase featuring the greatest stars of racing,” said Meadowlands’ chief operating officer and general manager Jason Settlemoir. “Following Saturday’s North America Cup program, the attention will turn to Delaware [Ohio] for the [Little Brown] Jug [on September 23] before the Metro and Million back at Mohawk on September 25.
“Many of the top stars you will see in Ontario and Delaware over the next two weeks will be back at The Meadowlands to compete for year-end honours later this fall. It’s very exciting for us with the Breeders Crown coming back to The Big M in October, followed by the Kindergarten Finals and Fall Final Four/TVG Finals Night in November. Information on these events are available on our website, playmeadowlands.com.”
LOW TAKEOUTS, HIGH EXPECTATIONS: Here are the popular Meadowlands’ wagers that offer a low 15 per cent takeout on a nightly basis:
• Race 1: 20-cent Pick-5
• Race 3: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7
• Race 6: 50-cent Pick-4
• Race 8: 20-cent Pick-6
• Race 10: 50-cent Pick-4
• Race 13: 10-cent Hi-5/Pentafecta
WE’RE IN THE MONEY: Last Saturday’s (Sept. 4) 20-cent Pick-5 got a handful of players off to good start as those with winning tickets walked away with $4,546.96 on the wager that spans Races 1-5.
WHO DOES BROWER LIKE? For expert selections and analysis of every Big M card, check out track oddsmaker Dave Brower’s race reviews.
For Brower’s input, which is generally available 48 before every card, go to playmeadowlands.com, then click on the “handicapping” tab and go to “race reviews.”
HOW TO GET IN THE GAME: The best way to experience the rush of racing on the track and at the windows is to go to The Meadowlands, but for those who can’t make the trip, they can still tune in and get their action.
One of the best ways to watch what’s happening at The Big M – as well as all other races at venues around the country and the world – is to get a subscription to Roberts Television Network. All you need to do is go to rtn.tv for an affordable way to bring the action to your desktop, laptop, TV, smart phone or other device.
A good way to get your bets in is to use the Television Games Network (tvg.com) or your favourite Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) site.
TRICK OR TWEET: Everything Meadowlands is available by going on Twitter. You can check in with the Big M team for early changes, racing information and staff selections by going to @themeadowlands or #playbigm.
On race nights, stay in touch with Jessica Otten (@JessicaOtten1), Dave Brower (@eedoogie), Dave Little (@DaveLittleBigM), Ken Warkentin (@kenvoiceover) and Edison Hatter (@Edison_1999_).
CHECK OUT THE SHOW: On live race nights, tune in to Big M TV’s “Racing from the Meadowlands” pre-game presentation at 5:47 p.m., which is generally available everywhere Meadowlands races can be seen.
The show provides notes, news, features, staff selections and a look at that evening’s marquee races.
SATURDAYS ARE SPECIAL: The special events are plentiful during September at The Big M, where something super is in store every Saturday night. For further information on the following events, go to playmeadowlands.com:
• September 11: 5th annual Beer Fest
• September 18: 6th annual Burger Battle
• September 25: Chili Cook-Off
THE CHALLENGE IS ON! Owner Marvin Katz and the Libfeld/Katz Breeding Partnership started the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge in 2019 with hopes of strengthening community and racing relations.
The 2021 Challenge seeks to raise awareness of the positive contributions harness racing makes in the Tri-State area, especially New Jersey.
To date, over $400,000 has been donated to the following charities: New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund, Encourage Kids Foundation, Special Olympics New Jersey and the John Theuer Cancer Center.
For all information regarding the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge, click here.
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? The National Football League season kicks off Thursday (Sept. 9) night at 8:20 p.m. as the Dallas Cowboys head to Tampa Bay to take on seven-time champion Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.
Can’t make it to Florida? Then enjoy the game at The FanDuel Sportsbook, located inside the grandstand at The Meadowlands. The book is the top facility of its type in the country.
Like to bet? The Bucs are an 8-1/2-point favourite at odds of -105. For those who prefer betting money lines, Tampa Bay is -390.
On Sunday, the New York Jets (+5 at -104, +198 money line) travel to Carolina to face former quarterback Sam Darnold and the Panthers at 1 p.m.
The Philadelphia Eagles (+3, +134) will be in Atlanta for a 1 p.m. kickoff with the Falcons while the Denver Broncos will come to East Rutherford for a 4 p.m. game with the New York Giants (+2-1/2 at +104, +134).
Sports betting enthusiasts can get in on all the action at “The Book” Sunday-Friday from 10 a.m.-midnight and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 a.m. The cash counter is open from 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
(Meadowlands)