Meadowlands Media
Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ –
The Meadowlands’ Pick-4 pools raised to high levels last weekend, just in time
for what is in all probability to be a record three days in terms of average
field size at the mile oval.
Last Friday (Dec. 13)
and Saturday (Dec. 14) saw the second- and third-highest 50-cent Pick-4 pools
of the Fall Meeting, as $95,479 was wagered Friday before $97,773 was bet
Saturday. The top Pick-4 pool came on TVG/Fall Final Four night (Nov. 23) when
$110,502 was poured into the pot.
Couple those numbers
with the average field size of the three race cards that will be offered this
Thursday-Saturday, and you get ideal conditions for big Pick-4 play.
This Thursday’s (Dec.
19) card gets a “perfect” score, as all 11 races have full 10-horse fields. The
Friday (Dec. 20) and Saturday (Dec. 21) programs each have 14 races, with 13
full fields and one that has nine horses. In total, the Big M will offer 39
races over the three-day race week, with 37 offering 10-horse fields. The
average field size – assuming no scratches – will be 9.95 horses per race. It’s
hard to imagine a higher number than that over a span of three programs ever,
even though records do not exist.
“We are so pleased at
the response we’ve received at the entry box,” said Meadowlands’ Chief
Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “Big fields are what
our customers want, and over the next three race cards, we will deliver.”
Last Friday’s Pick-4
featured a 75-1 winner in leg one, leading to a handsome payoff of $3,528 despite
no horse longer than odds of 5-2 winning any of the final three legs. Saturday
night’s 50-cent Pick-5 featured a 26-1 shot and a 36-1 shot, resulting in a
single-ticket-winner payoff of $33,873.
Twenty-cent Jackpot
Super High-Five players are no doubt chomping at the bit to get their action
Thursday. The carryover for Race 5 is at $12,866, while Race 11 will start out
with $54,275 in the hat.
Free program pages for
the 50-cent Pick-4, the Big M’s signature wager that has a $50,000 guaranteed
pool on Fridays and Saturdays as well as a low 15 percent takeout, are
available at ustrotting.com and playmeadowlands.com.
CARTER’S UP NEXT: The USTA’s Michael Carter is next in the ‘batting
order’ to “Borrow Ken’s Binoculars”, as guest announcers give Big M voice Ken
Warkentin a breather on Thursdays during December. Carter will call the races
Thursday (Dec. 19) with Big M TV personality Dave Little scheduled to call on
Dec. 26.
DON’T PANIC! IT’S
DEXTER AND YANNICK: Last weekend was
another good one for the Big M’s dynamic driving duo of Dexter Dunn and Yannick
Gingras.
Dunn won nine of his 26
drives, good for a win percentage of 35. The track’s leading driver upped his
Fall Meet win total to 41 while compiling a positive return on investment of 34
percent over the three racing programs.
Gingras had six winners
(and nine seconds) in 34 attempts (18 percent) and is second to Dunn in the overall
standings with 27 victories.
QUINCY’S COOL: New York Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa held court
on Saturday (Dec. 14) night at the track, signing autographs and taking selfies
with fans as the U.S. Marine Corps collected hundreds of gifts for the annual
“Toys for Tots” drive.
FOX5 sportscaster Tina
Cervasio was on hand to serve as master of ceremonies at the event. She also
helped out when driver Pat Berry won the 4,000th race of his career,
taking part in the winner’s circle presentation.
All toys collected were
donated to Harlem Grown, helping to brighten the season for children in need.
DECEMBER SCHEDULE: During the month of December, live racing
at the Meadowlands will be conducted on a three day a week basis,
Thursday-Saturday. Post time is 7:15 p.m.
THANKING THE FANS: Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment will be showing
appreciation for their fans with some concession specials on Friday (Dec. 20).
Hot dogs, pretzels,
popcorn and soda will be available for $1, while Bud and Bud Light will cost
only $2. The discount prices are available from 7-10 p.m.
PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT: On Dec. 20, card players who are 21
or older can play Texas Hold’em on “Free Poker Friday”, hosted by World Free
Poker.
PLAY THE WHHC FOR FREE: The Big M will host a World Harness
Handicapping Championship contest this Saturday (Dec. 21), and it is free to
play.
Players must check-in at the Players
Club Desk by 7:15 p.m. and complete the official contest form prior to Race 2.
Each participant will
make mythical $2 across-the-board wagers on one horse for Meadowlands Races
2-10. All selections must be made prior to Race 2 on the official contest
entry form, and if a selection scratches, contestants then get the post-time
favorite. The winner receives $1,300 and a spot in the WHHC Final on April 18,
2020.
MEADOWLANDS HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: Here is the holiday operating
schedule for simulcasting at the Big M:
·
December 22: Closed
·
Christmas Eve: Closed
·
Christmas Day: Closed
·
December 29: Closed
·
New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m.
– 10 p.m.
For more information, go to playmeadowlands.com.
FANDUEL HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: Here is the holiday operating
schedule for the Big M’s FanDuel Sportsbook:
·
Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. –
10 p.m.
·
Christmas Day: Closed
·
New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m.
– 10 p.m.
·
New Year’s Day: 10 a.m.
– 1 a.m.
For more information, go to playmeadowlands.com/fanduel.
