Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Historically,
wagering at The Meadowlands has been less than spectacular in September. In
fact, the last time there was harness racing at the mile oval in the ninth
month of the year, the average handle was a mere $1.6 million on the four cards
conducted in 2017.
But since then, a cavalry has
appeared to save the day.
Garden State Gov. Phil Murphy – along
with the members of the New Jersey Legislature – approved an
appropriation earmarked for the horse racing industry in the winter of 2019,
which increased purses at the track, which created the positive cycle of bigger
fields, better horses and bigger handle.
Over the last four race cards of
September 2020, the average handle stands at $2.5 million.
“The appropriation has made quite a
difference,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason
Settlemoir. “We are very appreciative of the work Gov. Murphy and members of
the Legislature did. New Jersey has experienced a resurgence as the leader in
the harness industry, with a revitalized breeding industry. It’s also allowed
The Meadowlands to offer lower takeouts to bring bettors everywhere in the
world back to New Jersey.”
THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN: The Big M’s betting menu offers seven
wagers nightly that offer low 15 percent takeouts. There have been several
adjustments to the lineup, as “jackpot” wagers have been eliminated to further
lower takeout to horseplayers.
The bets:
·
Race 1: 20-cent Pick-5
·
Race 3: 20-cent Pick-6
·
Race 5: 10-cent
Pentafecta
·
Race 6: 50-cent Pick-4
·
Race 9: 20-cent Pick-5
·
Race 10: 50-cent Pick-4
·
Race 13: 10-cent
Pentafecta
FREE STUFF: For free past performances, go to playmeadowlands.com, where one can access
races nine through 13 for both the Friday and Saturday programs. Those races
include the 20-cent Late Pick-5, 50-cent Late Pick-4 and 10-cent Late
Pentafecta, not to mention the Late Daily Double.
HOT TO TROT: Last weekend (Sept. 18-19), three
drivers – Dexter Dunn, Tim Tetrick and Todd McCarthy – registered five winners.
McCarthy, 27, a newcomer to the Big M
driver colony, has nine victories over the last three programs at the track,
the first nine wins of his career at the mile oval since his arrival from
Australia.
On the training side, Marcus
Melander, Nancy Takter and Tony Alagna had three trips to the winner’s circle
apiece.
COME OUT, TUNE IN: Simulcast fans will have plenty of
options at The Big M over the next few days.
On Thursday (Sept. 24), the 75th
edition of The Little Brown Jug takes center stage at the Delaware (Ohio)
Fairgrounds. The top four finishers from races 15 and 16 return for the 20th
race final, which offers a purse of $335,400. Post time for the first race is
noon. Race 20 is scheduled for 7:36 p.m.
Seven races with a purse of at least
$100,000 are on Friday’s (Sept. 25) card at Indiana’s Hoosier Park while
Woodbine Mohawk Park offers another in what has been a string of super Saturday
(Sept. 26) programs of late, with the $455,000 She’s A Great Lady, $215,000
Milton, $720,000 Metro and $1.3 million Mohawk Million the featured events on a
night when over $2.8 million in purses will be doled out.
TWEET THE TEAM: Stay in touch on Twitter with the Big
M’s Dave Brower (@eedoogie), Dave Little (@DaveLittleBigM), Ken Warkentin
(@kenvoiceover) and Jessica Otten (@JessicaOtten1). Check in everyday for
Meadowlands news and updates at those handles, as well as @TheMeadowlands and
#playbigm.
CHECK OUT THE PICKS: For those who need to get a leg up on
the action, go to playmeadowlands.com
to check out selections and commentary. For Friday’s card, click on this link: http://www.thebigm.com/RaceReviews.aspx?racedt=9/25/2020.
ALL THIS….AND SPORTS BETTING, TOO: The Big M’s FanDuel Sportsbook is the
place to get all of your MLB, NBA, NHL, WNBA, PGA and NFL action, every day
from 10 a.m.-midnight.
