Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – 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 Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager 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 percent takeout, is offered nightly on races
eight through 11. Free Pick-4 program pages are available at www.ustrotting.com
and www.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 percent 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 the 10th race at WMP.
The first two CAP4s 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.
