BETTING REACHES $3 MILLION AT BIG M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Propelled by the track’s three most popular multi-leg wagers, betting eclipsed the $3-million mark for the first time in 2022 at The Meadowlands Saturday night.

The action was fast and furious from the get-go on the 13-race card, as $309,688 was put in play on the first race, $73,504 of that in the 20-cent Pick-5 pool.

In race six, a 2022-best $104,703 was wagered in the 50-cent Early Pick4, which served as the catalyst for the high single-race handle of the night at $352,929.

The 50-cent Late Pick-4, which kicked off in the 10^th race, had a pool of $86,869, and paved the way for total action on that race of $296,000.

All-source handle for the night was $3,310,483.

‘HISTORY’ WINS AGAIN: After a win last week that driver Todd McCarthy described as “humongous”, American History bumped up to the Preferred ranks and scored in the weekly $34,500 featured pace.

Covered Bridge, the 8-5 favorite, was in search of his third straight victory against the best horses on the grounds and led the eight-horse field at the quarter in a sleepy :28.2. McCarthy then emerged from the three-hole and moved to the top at the three-eighths, cutting out the half in :56.1 and three-quarters in 1:23.1.

It was a two-horse sprint from there, and McCarthy knew the kind of stock he had pursuing him and opened up a 2-length edge at the eighth pole, which proved to be just enough, as Covered Bridge’s late surge in the final sixteenth came up a nose short in 1:49.4. Sonny Weaver N finished third.

“He definitely was as good as he was last week,” said McCarthy of American History. “He was a little more settled tonight. He was calmer. I got him to a spot where I would have been happy to sit until the backstretch, but given the slow first quarter, I had to move him a little earlier.

“Off that first half, I thought I had enough fuel left to get me there. He was pretty happy. He knows where the wire is and he dug in when Yannick’s [Gingras, driving Covered Bridge] horse was coming. Full credit to [trainer] Tony [Alagna] and the job he’s done. It’s hard for people to understand just how good he was last week given those headwinds. I was pretty confident with him tonight.”

American History, a 7-year-old son of American Ideal-Perfect Touch who is owned by Brad Grant, returned $10.00 to his backers as the 4-1 third choice in the betting and lifted his lifetime stats to 28 wins from 78 starts, good for a bankroll of $1,293,899.

GETTING IT DUNN: In his first appearance of 2022 at The Big M, three-time defending United States Harness Writers Association Driver of the Year Dexter Dunn showed no signs of rust, winning four times on the program.

Dunn scored with I’m A Big Deal ($15.20 to win in the fourth race), DA Delightful ($9.20 in the sixth), Monty Mono ($6.40 in the 11^th) and Game Of Change ($33.20 in the 12^th). Only Monty Mono went off as the post-time favorite.

A LITTLE MORE: Leading driver Gingras upped his colony-leading dash-win total to 43 after registering a driving double. The 42-year-old Hall of Fame bound pilot has now won at least twice on all 13 Big M race cards in 2022. … One sharp bettor raked the pot in the 20-cent Survivor Pick-7, needing only the first six winners to cash in for $9,079. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m.

Shesureissomething commands Cal Expo spotlight

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

 

Sheshureissomething, who has finished second to Rockin With Lou in four straight appearances, gets away from that juggernaut Friday night and looms the solid choice in the featured $6,500 Filly and Mare Open Pace.

 

There will be nine races conducted under the Watch and Wager LLC banner Friday evening with first post at 6:45 p.m.

 

Sheshureissomething is a 5-year-old daughter of So Surreal out of the Park Place mare Nancy Irene who is owned by Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte, takes her lessons from Rick Bertrand and will once again have Cordarius Stewart at the controls.

 

In the first three of her consecutive exacta completions behind Rockin With Lou, Shesureissomething did her work in first-over fashion with her arch-rival on her back and was unable to hold that one safe in the drive.

 

Last week she made two moves to the lead in the stretch, battled it out gamely but once again was unable to match the streaking Rockin With Lou what that one came calling. A repeat of any of those efforts is going to make her very tough in this line-up.

 

Taking her on Friday, from the rail out: Changing Colors with Mooney Svendsen; Alwaysalittlemore for Luke Plano; Kiss On The Lips, Rene Goulet and Prom Queen with James Kennedy in the sulky.

 

The co-feature is a $5,300 conditioned pace that features several performers dropping out of last week’s Open won by A Major Omen. Among the major players are Frewil Dakota Sven, Rockinscience and Captain Terminator in this very contentious affair.

 

Mel Mullet savors first career score

 

There are some things you will never forget, and for Mel Mullet one of those will be the sixth race at Cal Expo on February 12 when he guided Dance Traveler to a 16-1 upset and earned his first career driving victory.

 

“I’ve never had a feeling like that before in my life,” said the 27-year-old Mullet, who was greeted with the usual soaking from his fellow drivers following the score.

 

“He was the longest shot on the board and I just took him back and hoped to get a trip,” Mel related. “I followed a couple of horses to the stretch, swung him out and he gave me a real nice finish.”

 

The Wisconsin native was exposed to the trotters and pacers from as far back as he can remember courtesy of his father Noah, who raced them back home.

 

“I always knew it was something I wanted to do, and I got a great education working with Chris Frendzel back home and Quentin Schneider here and at Running Aces.”

 

Mullet got his “P” license last July in Minnesota and was making his 15^th trip to the post at this meet when he connected with the Schneider-trained Dance Traveler two weeks ago.

 

                                                           ***

 

A reminder there are three races offered here each night with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate – the 20-cent early and late Pick 5 and the Pick 4, with the latter featuring a $30,000-guaranteed gross pool on Fridays and a $25,000 guarantee on Sundays. 

LOW MINIMUM BETS PAY OFF AT BIG M

Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – There are many reasons harness fans play the races at The Meadowlands, the industry’s handle leader.

Top-quality racing, the best drivers in the world, big fields and big pools are the biggest reasons why. But another factor that does not go unnoticed or unappreciated are the wagers that offer big pools and big payoffs for a small investment.

Low-takeout 20-cent bets have been paying off in a big way at the big track next to MetLife Stadium.

“The Meadowlands has always tried to be one of the gambling trendsetters in the horse racing business,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “The 2021-2022 wagering menu offers players of every size bankroll a chance to make a score.”

When one looks at what the payoffs have been during the first six weeks of racing in 2022, they might start playing these bets exclusively.

Thus far this year, here are the startling numbers when the subject is Big M bets that have a minimum base bet of 20 cents or less:

Wager                 Avg. Payout    Winning Odds

20-cent Pick-7      $5,002             25,010-to-1

20-cent Pick-6      $3,530             17,650-to-1

20-cent Pick-5      $2,095             10,475-to-1

10-cent Hi-5          $2,558             25,580-to-1

“Here at The Meadowlands, we offer these wagers with a low takeout of 15 percent, which puts more money back into the pocket of the horseplayer,” said Settlemoir. “That makes The Big M the destination of many vertical and horizontal players that are searching for action and value every weekend.”

One does not necessarily need to bet a lot to win a lot. How about the 20-cent Survivor Pick-7, which is offered nightly on races three through nine? A bettor could call out a ticket using 1x2x2x2x3x4x1 and spend only $19.20. Spending just a little more increases one’s chances. Another ticket might read 2x2x2x2x3x3x1. The cost? $28.80.

Using a “single” in the final leg allows one to get more coverage early in the bet, since there are nights when there are no tickets that have all seven winners. One such night was Jan. 15, when the winning ticket needed only the first six winners to cash in for $7,584. That winning player did not need to have the 8-1 shot that scored in the “payoff leg”. The first six winner’s odds in the sequence were a far-from-far-fetched 9-2, 7-5, 9-2, 1-1, 2-1 and 5-2.

That’s the beauty of these multi-leg wagers.

Players with small bankrolls who want to hit like high-rollers no doubt dig the 20-cent Pick-6 (offered on races eight through 13), where players can get plenty of value playing tickets like these:

·         2x2x2x2x2x2 = $12.80

·         1x1x2x3x4x5 = $24.00

·         1x1x2x2x2xALL = $16.00

The Pick-6 paid out handsomely Feb. 19 night despite a pair of winning favorites and zero longshots. The sequence of winner’s odds was 4-1, 2-1, *9-5, 5-2, 5-2 and *8-5, and those with winning tickets walked away with $3,199.

The 20-cent Pick-5 – offered on races one through five – has been an especially popular play of late, as total action was $79,620 on Feb. 18 and $74,064 the next night.

For those who like their multi-leg results chalk-less, hopefully, they cashed on Feb. 18, when no winning favorites clicked and the Pick-5 returned $5,225.

The Saturday prior to that, you didn’t need to be a longshot lover to live the high life. Three favorites, a 4-1 and a 9-1 shot combined to create a payout of $4,259.

Some of the tickets cashed that night might have been called out this way:

·         2x2x2x2x2 = $6.40

·         1x2x2x2x2 = $3.20

·         1x2x3x3x3 = $10.80

·         1x2x3x4x5 = $24.00

·         2x3x4x4x5 = $96.00

Need to get out? Then the 10-cent Hi-5/Pentafecta is for you, as it is offered on the final race every night.

With a minimum bet of one thin dime, players can spread their tickets wide to try and go for the gold.

Many try for the Hi-5 by playing partial wheels, which can be played for small change if you key a horse(s) to finish in a particular position:

·         1w2,3,4,5w2,3,4,5w2,3,4,5w2,3,4,5 = $2.40

·         1w2,3,4,5,6w2,3,4,5,6w2,3,4,5,6w2,3,4,5,6 = $12.00

·         For those who like a box – 1,2,3,4,5 = $12.00

How about a “Players’ Ticket”, where you start with three in the win position and add one horse for each subsequent leg:

·         1,2,3w1,2,3,4w1,2,3,4,5w1,2,3,4,5,6w1,2,3,4,5,6,7 = $24.30

Enthusiasts who invested that $24.30 and hit on Feb. 19 were no doubt all smiles. Despite 8-5 favorite Hes Gone Badder going wire-to-wire, the second and third choices were nowhere to be found in the top five, creating a payoff of $1,152.

LIVE RACING SCHEDULE: Racing at The Big M is conducted on a Friday-Saturday basis and has a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m.

The track’s live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pre-game show kicks off nightly at 5:47 p.m.

FREE PROGRAMS: Free past performances for every race of every Meadowlands program are available 48 hours before a given card. To access the no-cost official program pages, go to playmeadowlands.com.

GET ON TWITTER: 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), Shades (@ShadesOnRacing) and Edison Hatter (@Edison_1999_).

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 hours before every card, go to playmeadowlands.com, then click on the “handicapping” tab and go to “race reviews”.

CHECK OUT “THE BOOK”: For those who like to bet on sports, there is only one place to be: The FanDuel Sportsbook, the No. 1 facility of its type in the world. Meadowlands’ fans don’t have to go far to get there. It’s located inside the grandstand at the mile oval.

Thursday (Feb. 24) night, the new-look Brooklyn Nets travel to Boston to take on the Celtics in a 7:30 p.m. tipoff. The Nets are a 9-point underdog who are +330 on the money line. The under/over is 214½.

For those who like prop bets, the Celtics two-pronged scoring attack of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be on display. If you think either or both will score at least 35 points, you can make a score. Tatum is +400 while Brown is +700.

Hours for the book are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m.-1 a.m.; Friday 10 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday 7 a.m.-2 a.m. and Sunday 8 a.m.-12 a.m.

MARCH MANIA IS COMING: When the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament begins on March 15, hoops fans can come to the FanDuel Sportsbook and watch and wager on the games.

The championship game will take place on April 4.

Buffalo Raceway Cancels Wednesday Program

 by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

 

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Due to poor track conditions, Buffalo Raceway cancelled the 9-race card scheduled for Wednesday evening (Feb. 23).

 

Racing is scheduled to resume on Saturday evening (Feb. 26) at 6 p.m. with another 9-race program slated.

 

For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com

Brandon Parker Scores Open Hat Trick at Monticello Raceway

Monticello, N.Y. – This week at Monticello Raceway, Brandon Parker achieved a rare hat trick and swept all three of the weekly Open events.

Monday, Parker lit up the tote board with the out-of-town Yonkers invader Shecandance N in the Fillies and Mares Open Pace in a hard-fought battle, winning by a neck over Keene Olivia in 1:55.4. Dismissed by the betting public, the daughter of A Rocknroll Dance paid $43.00 to win for trainer Jose Godinez.

Tuesday’s Open Pace saw Parker win with the best pacer on the grounds at the moment. Nui Ba Den N notched his third consecutive win in the Open class for trainer Chris Petrelli in 1:55.3 - $6.70. At the top of the stretch, Nui Ba Den N was seven lengths from the leader. He uncorked a 27.2 last quarter to seal the deal for the urging Parker. The New Zealand import is by Gotta Go Cullect and is owned by George P. Dremonas.

In the $6,600 Open Trot, James Devaux and Bank Guard cut the mile to the ¾. Parker was the first to move past the half with Crazycat, who slowly glided to the front end and handily put away the rest of the field in an easy three-length win in 2:00.1. Makin Trouble K (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) was second, followed by Cinnamon Stick (Greg Merton). Crazycat is trained by co-owner Jose Godinez and earned his third win of the season, upping his seasonal earnings to over $15,000.

Two ageless campaigners joined forces and visited the winner’s circle in the second division of the Open Trot. Kyle Dibenedetto and Warrawee Preferred scored in a wire-to-wire win in 2:01. Since joining the barn of Marianna Monaco, Warrawee Preferred has had three wins in four starts. This was her first start in this class. Towards the tail end of 2021, Dibenedetto began to enjoy a resurgence and began to rack up more and more wins, with the trend continuing into this year. He’s now neck and neck with Jim Taggart Jr. for top dash honors.

Jim Taggart Jr. and Mcgwire Sowers each had driving doubles and leading trainer Bo Sowers had two winners hail from his stable.

Loebs and Ferrara Qualify for WHHC Final

Meadowlands Racetrack 

East Rutherford, NJ - Sean Loebs, of Cresskill, NJ, captured the February 19^th World Harness Handicapping Championship Qualifier at the Meadowlands Racetrack. The $200 Qualifier required contestants to place at least ten $10 minimum win wagers on Meadowlands races. 

Sean Loebs cashed in on his first contest wager, a $100 win wager on Manhattan Beach, earning $230 and catapulting to the top of the leaderboard.  He remained in the top three throughout the contest and took first place with his final wager in race 13.  Loebs’ $250 final win wager on post time favorite Hes Gone Badder cashed for $675 giving him a total of $725.  In addition to his contest winnings, he also earned $1,280 and a $1,000 seat into the World Harness Handicapping Final. 

Stefan Ferrara, a veteran WHHC participant, also qualified into the WHHC Final with his $535 second place finish.

The top five contest finishers were:

Contest  Winnings	Prize $	First	Last	City	State
$725	$1280	Sean	Loebs	Cresskill	NJ
$535	$704	Stefan	Ferrara	Mount Vernon	NY
$526	$512	Joseph	Giaramits
$351	$384	John	Damico	Myrtle Beach	SC
$216	$320	Russ	Slader	Nutley	NJ

 

The World Harness Handicapping Championship is a one-day tournament [September 10, 2022]. Players that did not earn a seat through a qualifying event can directly buy-in for $1,000.  The $1,000 entry fee includes a $400 bankroll, with the remaining $600 going to the prize pool.  The WHHC contest format requires players to bet 10 races: their choice of seven Meadowlands races, plus three designated mandatory races.  Players keep all pari-mutuel winnings.  Prize payouts are to the Top 10. 

For more information on how to become a WHHC partner outlet or sponsor, contact Rachel Ryan, Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment (raryan@playmeadowlands.com) or 201-842-5015. 

 

Jackie Giuliani Wins Award At Buffalo Raceway

 by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

 

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Jackie Giuliani was very surprised to say the least when she learned that she was named the first recipient of the 'Horseman Of The Month' award for February at Buffalo Raceway.

 

"I think it's pretty cool to be the first to win the award but it's also nice to be acknowledged for what you do on a daily basis," Giuliani said. In recognition of the award, she will receive a gift certificate from J.P. Fitzgeralds, the sponsor of this month's award.

 

The 30-year-old Giuliani works in the Shawn McDonough Stable where he currently has 19 horses. "On non race days, I jog or train, feed them and put them away," Giuliani stated. But race days are a bit more hectic.

 

With the McDonough barn averaging about six starters a night, things can get a little crazy but something that Giuliani cherishes. "I was a registered nurse for a few years but found out I missed being with the horses...my heart was with the horses. I missed them. They are so therapeutic to me." So instead of doing nursing duties, she is now busy grooming, decorating their custom hoods, braiding hair and putting on their shiny bridles every race night.

 

Giuliani has been around horses all her life. "I grew up in the barn. I watched my Dad (Alex Giuliani) every day and learned a lot from my sister Jennifer," Jackie added. 

 

Her 14th birthday couldn't come quick enough as once she hit that magical number, Giuliani got her groom's license that day and was "in the barn working as a groom the next day." But in the future, she'd like to get her training license but that is currently on pause as she is expecting a child within a month.

 

But in the meanwhile, the horses in the McDonough stable still will be 'babied and cared for' by Jackie Giuliani.

 

For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com

Trio of Sire Stakes on Cal Expo card

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

 

A $20,000 California Sire Stakes for the 4-year-old male pacers featuring Chase The Gold and Alilthundadownunda; a pair of $7,500 Sire Stakes for the 3-year-old pacing colts and 3-year-old pacing fillies and a $6,500 Distaff Open Pace headed by Rockin With Lou share the spotlight Sunday evening at Cal Expo.

 

Watch and Wager LLC will present an 11-race card that is set to get underway at 5 p.m.

 

Chase The Gold comes into weekend’s assignment riding a seven-race winning streak for owner Qks Racing and trainer Quentin Schneider and he will be piloted by James Kennedy.

 

Among his conquests at this meet are the Donald Arnstine and Steve Wiseman Finals, setting his 1:52 4/5 mark in the latter; and a decision in the first Sire Stakes clash of the season three weeks ago.

 

Alilthundadownunda will be looking for some revenge after being beaten only a half-length in the latter contest while making his first start since coming in from Minnesota for Set The Pace Racing LLC and driver/trainer Nick Roland.

 

Since that near-miss, he has captured a conditioned affair and should be much tighter for his second clash with Chase The Gold. Completing that field are Believe In Dragons, SD Watch Me Now, Im A Magic Man and Arnie’s Army.

 

The Sire Stakes for the 3-year-old pacing colts is headed by the unbeaten Worthy Opponent for owner/breeder Wayne and Rod Knittel, trainer Bob Johnson and driver Mooney Svendsen, while the contest for the sophomore pacing fillies finds the same connections represented by Toot Toot and pilot Chip Lackey in a non-betting event.

 

Sophomores get chance at Sire Stakes money

 

The first Sire Stakes events for the 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings and 3-year-old pacing fillies are set for Sunday evening, and owner/breeders Wayne and Rod Knittel and trainer Bob Johnson look to be holding a strong hand in both divisions.

 

Worthy Opponent is unbeaten in three impressive scores with Mooney Svendsen, while his filly counterpart Toot Toot has been no match versus her stablemate in two appearances and should be a handful while racing with distaffers for the first time.

 

Both are offspring of the late Hi Ho Silverheel’s, with Worthy Opponent out of the Dragon Again mare Mistup Magic and Toot Toot out of the Artsplace mare Aftermath.

 

Worthy Opponent has crushed his opposition by a combined 18 lengths, overcoming an early miscue two back and then lowering his mark to 1:58 flat in last week’s 10-length romp with Svendsen.

 

Johnson related, “Mooney said he doesn’t feel like he’s going that fast, which is always a good sign.”

 

Meanwhile, Toot Toot is getting away from Worthy Opponent after being the exacta-completer behind her barnmate in her only two trips to the post and it will be interesting to see how she performs against the girls with Chip Lackey back at the controls.

 

                                                    ***

 

A reminder there are three wagers offered here each night with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate – the 20-cent early and late Pick 5 and the 20-cent Pick 4 – with the latter featuring a $30,000-guaranteed gross pool on Fridays and a $25,000 guarantee on Saturdays.

 

Buffalo Raceway Calls Off Saturday Card

 by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

 

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Due to winter weather conditions in the Western New York area, Buffalo Raceway officials have cancelled the 9-race program scheduled for Saturday evening (Feb. 19).

 

The promotions slated for tonight will be pushed back until Saturday (Feb. 26) including the Stefon Diggs' autographed and framed jersey raffle and the Handicapping Challenge featuring races from Buffalo Raceway and The Meadowlands.

 

Racing is scheduled to return on Wednesday night (Feb. 23) at 6 p.m. There will be a guaranteed pool of $15,000 in the Pick 5 which begins in the second race.

 

For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com

BETTORS HEART N TAKES BIG M FEATURE

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Bettors Heart N returned from a month layoff last week and was a minor player when third in the weekly featured high-end TrackMaster rating (86.75 or less) fillies and mares pace, behind the duo of Divine Deo and JM Betonsix, whose rivalry had seen them finish in the top two for three consecutive starts.

But Friday night at The Meadowlands, it was Bettors Heart N’s turn to be in the starring role.

In her return to the races a week ago, Bettors Heart N, who went up against classier mares at Dover Downs and Yonkers Raceway last month, tightened up well and was ready to go for trainer Nifty Norman, scoring from off the pace in 1:50.4, just two-fifths-of-a-second off her lifetime-best.

“I kinda looked across and didn’t think there’d be a lot going on early and I just asked her out of there,” said winning driver Todd McCarthy. “We were lucky enough to find a pretty good spot.”

Bettors Heart N was away well from post five in the nine-horse field, and so was 5-2 second choice JM Betonsix, who was in search of her third win in four tries. ‘JMB6’ hit the quarter in :27.4 while Bettors Heart N sat the two hole as even-money favorite So Miki Hanover, fifth in last week’s Sweetheart Pace to Racine Bell, rolled up to the point at the three-eighths before reaching the half in :56.2.

JM Betonsix popped out of the pocket before three-quarters (1:24.1) to go after So Miki Hanover, and McCarthy was on top of things, following that move and swinging Bettors Heart N three-wide for the final three-sixteenths.

So Miki Hanover was determined, but Bettors Heart N was up to the challenge, grinding away at the leader’s edge before hitting the finish a neck to the good. Seventy-to-one longshot Man Dontforget Me was third, JM Betonsix an even fourth, while Divine Deo, who was dismissed at odds of 15-1, finished eighth while never being in the hunt.

“She paced home nicely,” said McCarthy of the winner. “She’s just a classy old mare.”

Bettors Heart N, a 9-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Valiant Heart N, returned $13.40 to her backers as the 5-1 third choice in the wagering. She now has 18 lifetime victories from 79 starts for owners Enzed Racing Stable, good for earnings of $324,549.

A LITTLE MORE: Leading driver Yannick Gingras kept his streak alive of winning at least twice on every race card in 2022. His 39 wins through the first 11 racing programs of the year are by far tops in the standings. … Ron Burke had a double (both driven by Gingras), lifting his training colony victory-leading total to 22. … There were no winning favorites in the 20-cent Pick-5, and those with winning tickets cashed in for a healthy $5,225.76. … All-source handle totaled $2,926,942, the busiest night of business at The Big M in 2022. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m.   

Senga Nightmare heads Cal Expo Sire Stakes

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

 

Senga Nightmare heads the cast for Friday night’s $20,000 California Sire Stakes for the 4-year-old pacing mares, while A Major Omen and Its Pointless are among the top players in the co-featured $7,500 Open Pace.

 

There will be nine races presented under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post set for 6:45 p.m.

 

Senga Nightmare is a daughter of Vertical Horizon out of the Falcons Future mare Nells Sweet Future who is owned, trained and driven by Ryan Grundy. She comes into this assignment having won four of her last seven trips to the post.

 

In the first Sire Stakes action of the season three weeks ago, Senga Nightmare was dispatched as the 3-5 favorite and did not disappoint her many backers. Unhurried early, as is her custom, she looped the leaders into the lane and won going away by a length and quarter.

 

Taking her on Friday, from the rail out: Witch Hunter, May Day Maggie, Cookiesncream, Doubleontherocks, Rockin The Dragon and Tartan Patch.

 

An extremely contentious field of nine will face the starter in the Open Pace with A

Major Omen assigned the outside slot for owner/driver/trainer Gerry Longo while taking on the hard-hitting Its Pointless and recent upset winners Ragged But Right and Dancin Lance.

 

Looking ahead to Sunday’s action, Chase The Gold will put his winning streak on the line in the Sire Stakes for the 4-year-old pacing horses and geldings while the 3-year-old pacing colts and 3-year-old pacing fillies will get their first chance at earning trophies this season.

 

Chase The Gold eyes another trophy

 

Chase The Gold will be gunning for his eighth straight win Sunday night in the California Sire Stakes, and trainer Quentin Schneider relates that the pacer has a pretty enviable combination working for him.

 

“He’s got talent and he loves to race,” Schneder related when talking about the Qks Racing colorbearer.

 

An Alberta-bred son of Mystery Chase out of the Cam’s Card Shark mare Daiquiri Blue Chip, Chase The Gold was purchased as a yearling and is turning out to be an excellent buy. “My wife picked him out and we liked the pedigree,” Quentin said.

 

Chase The Gold started the streak win victories in the Donald Arnstine Prep, added the Steve Wiseman to his resume in January while establishing a new mark with the 1:52 4/5 clocking and then proved a punctual favorite three weeks ago in the first Sire Stakes for the 4-year-old pacing males.

 

“When he first started out, there were a lot of complications,” Schneider noted. “He had speed, but he wasn’t mentally ready. Earlier in the meet he started to mature and was able to show his talent.”

 

Chase The Gold has been putting his abilities and versatility on display, getting the job done from well behind, with a mid-race brush and most recently in coast-to-coast fashion.

 

During the course of the streak, he’s has had three different pilots and will be re-united with James Kennedy for this weekend’s assignment.

 

 

 

 

POSITIVE PAYOUT PICK-6s POPULAR WITH BIG M PLAYERS

Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Lately at The Meadowlands, it’s been a playground for 20-cent Pick-6 fans, as carryovers have been offered each of the last two Fridays (Feb. 4 and 11), and while that streak will end when racing resumes this Friday (Feb. 18), you can bet The Big M faithful will watch closely to see if another carryover is imminent when the next sequence concludes.

“The 20-cent Pick-6 has been a nice addition to The Meadowlands wagering menu,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “The 15 percent rake and negative takeout on carryover nights has created a very popular dynamic for our horseplayers. It certainly has brought players to our signal for the later races. Given the low minimum, using two horses per race costs $12.80, which is an easily affordable play for most of our guests.”

How about a bet that pays out more than it takes in?

On Feb. 4, there was a double carryover of $14,033, which led to $61,639 in “new money” being bet into the pool, for a grand total of $75,672. Since the carryover is not subject to the “rake”, that meant players were vying for $66,427, a surplus of $4,788, good for a return of 107 percent.

Many a bettor cashed in that night, as the payout of $2,012.86 came after a sequence where winner’s odds were an anything-but-outrageous 3-1, 3-5, 4-1, 4-5, 1-1 and 9-2. Players who used three horses in all six legs – and ended up with a winning ticket – needed only invest $145.80 to walk away with the cash. Had those same players singled one of the two odds-on choices, their investment plummeted to $48.60.

While a $2,000 hit is something to brag about, cashing in for $13,748.98 is worthy of a much louder celebration. That was the return after a carryover of $8,572 led to $38,443 in new money for a total pool of $47,016 on Feb. 11. Those three winning tickets came from a pool that had a surplus of $2,806, a return of 107 percent for a second consecutive Pick-6 carryover.

The challenging sequence saw winner’s odds of 15-1, 6-1, 8-1, 8-5, 6-5 and 5-2 while still including two post-time choices.

The 20-cent Pick-6 is one of a half-dozen opportunities players get nightly to go for big green while swimming in large pools that offer a low 15 percent takeout.

Here is a list of those wagers, and when they are offered:

·                 Race 1: 20-cent Pick-5

·         Race 3: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7

·         Race 6: 50-cent Early Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)

·         Race 8: 20-cent Pick-6

·         Race 10: 50-cent Late Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)

·         Race 13: 10-cent Pentafecta/Hi-5

FREE PROGRAMS: Free past performances for every race of every Meadowlands program are available 48 hours before a given card. To access the no-cost official program pages, go to playmeadowlands.com.

GINGRAS AND BURKE KEEP ROLLING: The early-season dominance of the Dynamic Duo that is driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Ron Burke continues to chug along.

Last weekend (Feb. 11-12), Gingras had won only twice from the first 22 races, but then swept the Saturday night Late 50-cent Pick-4 to finish with a half-dozen winner’s circle visits. The 42-year-old Hall of Fame bound pilot now has 37 winners at the Winter Meeting, which puts him well in front of Joe Bongiorno, who is next with 19 trips to victory lane.

The 52-year-old Hall of Fame bound Burke won five times over the course of last Friday and Saturday – with his go-to guy in green Gingras guiding four – and now has 20 wins at the meeting, precisely double the number of runner-up Jeff Cullipher.

Gingras and Burke have teamed up to win the last two Saturday night Preferred paces with Covered Bridge.

WHHC QUALIFIER: Forget about a dollar and a dream. At The Big M Saturday (Feb. 19) night, all it takes is $200 and some handicapping skill when $5,000 in prize money and two seats to the World Harness Handicapping Championship Final on Sept. 10 are at stake in another qualifier.

Walk-ups will be accepted from 5:30-6:20 p.m., and players may choose to pay the non-refundable entry fee either by cash or money order/cashier’s check made payable to “Meadowlands Racetrack”. Personal checks and credit cards will not be accepted.

For more information, go to https://playmeadowlands.com/event/1694/

LIVE RACING SCHEDULE: Racing at The Big M is conducted on a Friday-Saturday basis and has a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m.

The track’s live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pre-game show kicks off nightly at 5:47 p.m.

GET ON TWITTER: 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), Shades (@ShadesOnRacing) and Edison Hatter (@Edison_1999_).

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 hours before every card, go to playmeadowlands.com, then click on the “handicapping” tab and go to “race reviews”.

CHECK OUT “THE BOOK”: For those who like to bet on sports, there is only one place to be: The FanDuel Sportsbook, the No. 1 facility of its type in the world. Meadowlands’ fans don’t have to go far to get there. It’s located inside the grandstand at the mile oval.

Thursday (Feb. 17) night, the new-look Brooklyn Nets host the Washington Wizards in a 7:30 p.m. tipoff. The Nets, winners of two straight, are a 4½-point favorite who are -190 on the money line. The under/over is 215.

For those who like prop bets, the Nets’ new long-range shooter, Seth Curry, is -112 to score more than 16½ points on the night.

Hours for the book are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m.-1 a.m.; Friday 10 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday 7 a.m.-2 a.m. and Sunday 8 a.m.-12 a.m. 

Qualify for the World Harness Handicapping Championship this Saturday

Meadowlands Racetrack

East Rutherford, NJ - Two spots are up for grabs this Saturday, February 19th in Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment’s $200 February Qualifier.  The qualifier has a $200 total fee ($100 entry plus a $100 real-money bankroll).  The format requires players to bet a minimum of $10 to win on 10 Meadowlands races.   Players can wager on more than 10 races if they so desire.   Players can register on-site Saturday up until 6:20 pm. Details are available at https://playmeadowlands.com/event/1694/

Other Meadowlands Onsite Qualifiers are:

• Saturday, March 12, 2022 - $200 contest with top 2 finishers winning WHHC Final seats
• Saturday, April 30, 2022 - $400 contest with top 4 finishers winning WHHC Final seats
• Saturday, May 28, 2022 – Free Contest with winner earning WHHC Final seat
• Thursday, July 7, 2022 - $100 contest with winner earning WHHC Final seat

The World Harness Handicapping Championship Final is scheduled for Saturday, September 10, 2022 at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment.

For more information on how to become a WHHC partner outlet or sponsor, contact Rachel Ryan, Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment (raryan@playmeadowlands.com) or 201-842-5015. 

February 14, 2022, from U.S. Harness Writers Association

The 2021 Horse of the Year will be announced Sunday night, Feb. 20, at the annual U.S. Harness Writers Association’s (USHWA) Dan Patch Awards dinner, sponsored by Caesars Entertainment, at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla. But even if you aren’t among the attendees you will be able to watch the announcement live via USHWA’s Facebook page.

The banquet will be held in the Gatlin D ballroom, and after a one-hour cocktail party, the awards ceremony will get underway at 6:30 p.m. (EST) and will be available via the USHWA Facebook page. At approximately 9:30 p.m., emcees Roger Huston, Jason Settlemoir and Dave Little will announce the winner of the E. Roland Harriman Horse of the Year trophy, which follows the revealing of the names of the Pacer of the Year and Trotter of the Year.

To access USHWA’s Facebook page, please click here. The entire video will also be available on the U.S. Trotting Association’s website the following day, Monday, Feb. 21, by clicking here.

Post time for the evening is 5:30 p.m., with a one-hour cocktail reception sponsored by Lindy Farms, Preferred Equine and David McDuffee. Also starring on the Diamond Creek Red Carpet will be Heather Vitale and Heather Wilder, with the two Heathers broadcasting live on their individual Facebook pages. It’s your opportunity to see who’s wearing what and what the attendees have to say about the festivities.

Heather Vitale’s Facebook page can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/PacinHeather. Heather Wilder’s Facebook page can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/heather.k.wilder

Also, this year’s Dan Patch Awards evening will be capped off by a special afterparty next door to the ballroom. The two-hour, open bar afterparty, sponsored by Nancy Takter, Black Horse Racing, David Miller, Nifty Norman Stable, Heritage Hill Farm and Kentuckiana Farms, will be highlighted by local deejay Sarah Masters spinning tunes for dancing.

Chalks And Long Shots Mix Well At Buffalo Raceway

 by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

 

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- It was a perfect split for the fans at Buffalo Raceway as both the chalk and long shot players enjoyed the 10-race card on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 13).

 

Mississippi Rabbit (Drew Monti) didn't disappoint his followers as he took the $14,000 Open I-II Pace and returned $3.80. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Schnickel Fritz kept up his end of the bargain and notched the $23.40 upset in the $13,000 Open II-III Trot, making it an even split on the day.

 

The main pacing event saw Mississippi Rabbit use a first over trip and was able to hold off a pesky Endeavors Pride (Kevin Cummings) in 1:59.1 over the sloppy track. Paprike Blue Chip (Shawn McDonough) took the show position.

 

Sunfirewindrain took early control of the pace and used splits of :29.4 and :59.4 to the half. Those fractions proved to be too ambitious as Mississippi Rabbit started his first over journey and was in command turning for home. Endeavors Pride made a bid late but could get no closer than 1-1/4 lengths at the wire.

 

Owned by Rocco Stebbins and conditioned by Joe Skowyra, it was the first start of the campaign for the 8-year-old gelded Mississippi Rabbit (Richess Hanover-Dixie Darlin). It was his 32nd lifetime win and pushed his career bankroll to $341,714.

 

In the featured trot, Schnickel Fritz (Kyle Cummings) captured a three-way photo and beat the favored Warrawee Windsor by a nose in 2:04.3 over the sloppy track. The tempo-setting Photo Bomber was just a head back in third.

 

Photo Bomber (Kevin Cummings) was able to stomp out fractions of :30.2, 1:01.2 and 1:32.4. He looked home free midway down the stretch but Schnickel Fritz and Warrawee Windsor were barreling on the outside, closing the gap with each stride. A photo was needed to separate the top two with Schnickel Fritz getting a nose in front while Warrawee Windsor had to settle for the disappointing second place check.

 

Owned by Michael Ohol Jr. and Steven Gross, the 7-year-old gelded Schnickel Fritz (Dontyouforgetit-The Power Of Magic) has now found the winner's circle twice in three attempts in 2022. Trained by Michael Ohol, the win pushed the seasonal earnings for Schnickel Fritz to $12,824 and $145,565 lifetime.

 

The big wins included victories by My Money Honey ($17.80), Schnickel Fritz ($23.40), Amora Beach ($30.40), Bugatti ($34.40) and Smooth Mara N ($74.80).

 

Monti, Kevin Cummings and Kyle Cummings each collected driving doubles while Skowyra had two training victories.

 

Racing will continue on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. with a 9-race card scheduled. With the Pick 5 not being hit on Sunday afternoon thanks to some tote busters, there will be a guaranteed pool of $15,000 in the sequence which begins in the second race.

 

For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com