Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The Meadowlands
delivered full fields to its faithful last week (Dec. 19-21), and the following
bet with both hands.
The previous week of racing (Dec.
12-14) saw handle that totaled $5,388,738 over the three-card race week. Last
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, handle was $6,121,558, an increase of 13.6
percent.
“With some of the other tracks in our
region not racing, we have been able to take advantage and provide better
opportunities for our players due to our horsemen energetically supporting our
entry box,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason
Settlemoir. “And, once again this weekend, we will provide them with more
chances to cash some big tickets.”
A handful of big hits have come in
the track’s 50-cent Pick-5, which always comes with a guaranteed pool of
$25,000 and a low 15 percent takeout, as the last four times the bet has been
offered the payout has been at least four figures.
The streak began Dec. 14 when one
superb player held the only ticket to pick all five winners and walked away with
$33,773. On Dec. 19 and Dec. 20, the payouts were $1,006 and $2,050,
respectively, before a lone-winning-ticket holder cashed $29,478 on Dec. 21.
The Big M’s signature bet, the
50-cent Pick-4, may not have provided the payoffs of the Pick-5, but that did
not deter players from going deep. Last week, the pools from Thursday through
Saturday were, $60,029, $72,380 and $94,408, respectively.
Free program pages for the Pick-4 –
which offers a $50,000 guaranteed pool on Fridays and Saturdays – are always available
at playmeadowlands.com and ustrotting.com.
The carryovers for the track’s two
20-cent Jackpot Super High-Fives continue to expand, as bettors on Thursday
will shoot for starting pots of $17,076 (Race 5) and $67,864 (Race 11).
The Meadowlands will race one
additional Thursday night card. Not only will the Big M race this Thursday
(Dec. 26), but will also host a live card on Jan. 2. As always, post time is
7:15 p.m.
DECEMBER’S DYNAMIC DUO: The Big M’s top two drivers have been
killing it at the mile oval this month.
Yannick Gingras has 21 wins during
December, while Dexter Dunn – who is the overall leader at the Fall Meeting –
has 20. Following the top two for the month are Andy Miller (11 wins) and Andy
McCarthy (10).
Gingras had five victories last
Thursday, leading to 10 wins for the week. Dunn had six while Andy Miller had
five.
Fans will not get to bet on Gingras
for a while, though, as he will be on vacation for the next few weeks.
Nick Surick tops the December
trainer’s race with six wins, followed by Jeff Cullipher and Andrew Harris, who
have five each, and Harry Landy, who has four.
SEASON’S GREETINGS: Settlemoir’s holiday message to all:
“On behalf of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Gural, and all of
us here at the Meadowlands, I’d like to wish everybody a joyous holiday season.
We appreciate our employees, horsemen and faithful fans for being loyal to our
product. We hope everybody takes some time to be with family and friends while
celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas and hope everyone has a healthy and happy
New Year.”
COMING UP: On Dec. 27, card players who are 21
or older can play Texas Hold’em on “Free Poker Friday”, hosted by World Free
Poker. … On Friday and Saturday “Win Your Share” when the Big M puts $2,019 up
for grabs. Ten contestants will be selected after Race 6 to win betting
vouchers ranging in value from $100-$500. The entry form is available in the
live racing program or at the Players Club Desk. … Looking ahead, on Jan. 11,
the Big M will host a $400 qualifier for the World Harness Handicapping
Championship. For more information, go to playmeadowlands.com.
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: Big M Fans are reminded that the
track will be closed for simulcasting on December 29 and will be open on New
Year’s Eve from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
The operating schedule for the Big
M’s FanDuel Sportsbook will see bettors able to get their action on New Year’s
Eve from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and on New Year’s Day from 10 a.m.-1 a.m.
Speaking of action, college football
fans are sure to be fired up for the College Football Playoff that takes place
on Saturday (Dec. 28).
At 4 p.m., 4th-ranked
Oklahoma takes on No. 1 LSU, while at 8 p.m., No. 2 Ohio State faces No. 3
Clemson, who are the defending national champions.
In addition, on Sunday (Dec. 29),
watch and wager on all Week 17 National Football League games. The NFL playoffs
begin Jan. 4.
