Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – After nearby storms ended a long
Meadowlands’ handle streak, wagering surged past the $3-million mark the very
next night.
Lightning strikes that were visible from the track’s
apron caused a long delay before the start of Friday’s (July 3) third race. The
remainder of the night saw races conducted shortly after post parades, costing
the track a chance at extending its streak of 15 consecutive programs with
wagering of at least $2.5 million, as a total of $2.45 million was pushed
through the windows.
Twenty-four hours later, The Big M did not need
fireworks, as total wagering skyrocketed past the $3-million mark for the fifth
time in 2020.
At the end of Saturday’s (July 4) 13-race card,
wagering totaled $3,027,797, good for an average per race of $232,907.
A closer look reveals that this was an Independence
Day for the history books, as wagering on the card broke the $3-million barrier
on July 4 for the first time since 2004.
Betting was vigorous on the track’s “Big 4” multi-leg
wagers. The 20-cent Pick-5 ($95,242), 20-cent Pick-6 ($17,159), Early 50-cent
Pick-4 ($90,697) and Late 50-cent Pick-4 ($113,121) accounted for just over 10
percent of the entire night’s wager, with $316,229 being bet on the popular
puzzles.
GIRLS RULE: After 2019 saw the red-hot rivalry between Caviart Ally and Horse of
the Year Shartin N, this year’s top matchup again sports a pair of fabulous
females, only this time, they are on the trot.
In Saturday’s $170,900 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial,
Atlanta gunned down Manchego nearing the wire to even this year’s score between
the two super mares at one victory apiece.
TETRICK ROLLS A SEVEN: Driver Tim Tetrick won four races Friday and three
more Saturday to pace the driver colony with seven weekend victories. He was
followed by Yannick Gingras (five) and Scott Zeron (four).
Jeff Cullipher led the trainers with four scores.
WHAT’S UP THIS WEEKEND? With a limited number of 12 horses having dropped into
the entry box, there will only be one Meadowlands Pace Elimination necessary on
this Saturday night’s program at the Big M.
Conditions called for the two highest-earning horses
this season getting the option to take a bye and go straight to next week's
final. Trainer Mark Harder wanted Major Betts to race, so he’s in this
Saturday. As a result, Chief Mate and Allywag Hanover, who were next in line in
2020 earnings, took the free passes.
The elimination has a field of 10, with the first
eight in official order of finish advancing to the final. The elimination
winner will get a major perk: That horse will draw a post position from one
through six.
The field for Saturday night’s Meadowlands Pace
Elimination in post-position order, with horse (driver) and morning-line odds:
Major Betts (D. Dunn), 9-2; Captain Barbossa (A. McCarthy), 5-1; Tall Dark Stranger
(Y. Gingras), 3-1; Manticore (J. Stratton), 15-1; Captain Kirk (D. Dunn), 10-1;
Roll With Jr (T. Tetrick), 10-1; Mocha On The Rocks (S. Zeron), 20-1; Catch The
Fire (W. Wilder), 15-1; Capt Midnight (A. McCarthy), 8-1; Papi Rob Hanover (D.
Miller), 7-2.
Also on tap Saturday are a pair of $250,000 finals of
the Graduate Series for 4-year-old open pacers and trotters, with 2020’s top
money-earning ($1.6 million) horse Bettor’s Wish headlining the pace and
two-time Breeders Crown and New York Sire Stakes champion Gimpanzee the main
attraction in the trot.
THE PACE IS THE RACE: The $631,650 Meadowlands Pace Final takes place
Saturday, July 18. Post time for the 13-race program is 45 minutes earlier than
usual, as “The Biggest Night in Harness Racing” kicks off at 6:30 p.m.
WELCOME BACK: Fans were permitted back inside The Meadowlands for live and simulcast
racing – as well as betting in the FanDuel Sportsbook – last week. The Big M is
currently open for simulcasting every day (and live racing on the weekends),
with the grandstand permitted to welcome patrons at 25 percent capacity.
For complete details and what you need to know to
attend, please read the following: http://playmeadowlands.com/News.aspx?id=20388.
HOW TO WATCH, HOW TO BET: For those fans who prefer to not attend the races but
are still anxious to be a part of the action, they can watch the races on the
Roberts Television Network (rtn.tv)
or on the Television Games Network (TVG). To bet the races go to 4njbets.com, tvg.com or your favorite ADW
(advance-deposit wagering) platform.
FIVES ARE HIGH: So now that you know how to place a bet, here’s an
idea of what you might want to bet on.
The 20-cent Jackpot Super High-Fives have had
carryovers that have been expanding for weeks, and the player who holds the
only winning ticket on either one will rake the entire pot.
The carryover for Friday’s fifth race is $61,750, and
for the 13th race, it’s $75,268.
ASHLEY ON THE WAY: The Meadowlands’ Dave Brower, Dave Little, Ken
Warkentin and Jessica Otten will be joined this weekend and next by Ashley
Mailloux, who will be on hand to bolster the TV broadcast team.
Mailloux is the paddock analyst and handicapper at Ft.
Erie Racetrack. She also contributes – and freelances – for Post Time with Mike
and Mike, America’s Best Racing, the Maryland Jockey Club and the Horse Racing
Radio Network (HRRN).
On Friday, she’ll sit beside Brower and serve as
co-host of the live simulcast presentation (at 6:45 p.m.), and Saturday and
next weekend, she’ll provide pre- and post-race interviews for the major stakes
races from the back paddock.
FREE STUFF: For free past performances of some key races and wagers, go to playmeadowlands.com.
Friday night, the Late 50-cent Pick-4 and Late 20-cent Jackpot Super High-Five
(races 10-13) will be available. On Saturday, races eight through 13 will be
available, so that the Meadowlands Pace Elimination and both $250,000 Graduate
Series Finals are available to players.
CHECK OUT THE PICKS: For those who need to get a leg up on the action, go
to playmeadowlands.com to
see track oddsmaker and analyst Dave Brower’s selections and commentary. Go to
the “handicapping” drop down and then go to “race reviews”.
Additionally, track announcer Ken Warkentin’s blog is
available on the site and offers his picks and analysis. Last Saturday,
Warkentin was on fire, giving out six winners, two cold exactas, one cold
trifecta, nine exacta boxes and four trifecta boxes.
TWEET THE TEAM: Stay in touch on Twitter with the Big M’s Brower
(@eedoogie), Little (@DaveLittleBigM), Warkentin (@kenvoiceover) and Otten
(@JessicaOtten1) anytime, but especially on race night. Check in everyday for
Meadowlands news and updates at those handles, as well as at @TheMeadowlands.
