Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – It may have
only been four weeks since Ramona Hill beat the boys in a thrilling
Hambletonian where wagering soared to heights not seen in some time, but for
impatient Meadowlands fans, the wait for racing to return to the top track in
the game is finally over, as live action at the mile oval resumes Saturday
(Sept. 5) at 7:15 p.m.
Given the “new normal” that is life
in the COVID-19 era, Saturday will not only mark the return of live racing, but
simulcast fans will get a huge bonus as they’ll be able to watch and wager on
thoroughbred racing’s biggest event, The Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs,
which has a post time of 7:01 p.m. Normally, The Derby would have been contested
on the first Saturday in May.
Fans interested in finding out about
limited attendance capacities, COVID protocols, seating and dining options at
the Meadowlands Saturday should click on this link: http://playmeadowlands.com/News.aspx?id=20687
Hambletonian Day business saw handle
exceed the $5-million mark ($5.7M) for the second time in 2020, while betting
on the Hambletonian itself totaled $845,469, the highest number since 2012. The
July 18 Meadowlands Pace was the centerpiece of the other $5-million handle,
reaching that lofty plateau for the first time on Pace Night since 2008.
Betting throughout the Summer
Championship Meet (June 5 through August 8) was vigorous, as average nightly
handle rose 10 percent as compared to 2019 at $3,172,554. Handle per race
increased eight percent to $232,421, and total wagering was $63.4 million, up
more than $9 million.
“The Meadowlands wishes to thank our
faithful fans for their incredible support throughout this tumultuous year,”
said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “Now,
as we move forward with our Fall Meeting, we know that our new expanded
low-takeout wagering menu will offer horseplayers a plethora of not only low-takeout
options, but bets that offer low-minimums as well, from start to finish on
every Meadowlands program.”
What’s new on the betting menu are
the Late Pick-5 and 10-cent High-Five, which brings to seven the total number
of wagers on a given night that sport low 15 percent takeouts.
That means that players can play
“bookend” 20-cent Pick-5s, one on the first five races on the program and the
second on the last five.
The 20-cent Jackpot Super High-Five
has been eliminated and been replaced with a traditional, non-jackpot version,
which means that multiple winners – instead of just one – can cash in. The
minimum bet has been lowered from 20 cents to 10 and the wagers will be offered
on the fifth and 13th races nightly.
Here is what bettors are sure to find
a very tasty menu of low-takeout wagers, effective Saturday night:
·
Race 1: 20-cent Pick-5
·
Race 3: 20-cent Pick-6
·
Race 5: 10-cent
High-Five
·
Race 6: 50-cent Pick-4
·
Race 9: 20-cent Pick-5
·
Race 10: 50-cent Pick-4
·
Race 13: 10-cent
High-Five
WANT TO BET THE DERBY “ON THE GO”? The Meadowlands will offer Kentucky
Derby wagering on both Friday and Saturday for those who need the convenience
of a walk-up window given the track’s reduced capacity.
·
There will be a betting
window in Lot M off Berry’s Creek Road. Tellers will take action from 10 a.m.
to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
·
Programs will be
available for sale for not only the Derby and Meadowlands races, but for simulcast
action as well.
DON’T MISS THE SHOW: Big M fans will be able to catch the
Derby and then the show. The live simulcast “Racing from the Meadowlands”
in-house pre-game show will begin immediately after the conclusion of the
Kentucky Derby.
THE SCHEDULE: Starting Sept. 11, racing will be
conducted through the end of 2020 on Fridays and Saturdays – except for
Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25 – with a first-race post time of 7:15 p.m.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: The next can’t-miss night at The Big
M is Saturday, Nov. 21, when better than $2.8 million in purses will be up for
grabs on “Fall Final Four/TVG Finals Night” as the Goldsmith Maid, Three
Diamonds, Valley Victory, Governor’s Cup and all four TVG Finals highlight a
spectacular card.
