Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Despite a month
of crippling winter weather and the re-opening of racing in Ontario two weeks
ago, betting at The Meadowlands has stayed on a roll. In fact, on Friday (March
5) night, management is hoping to up the track’s streak of wagering at least $3
million to an impressive 10th consecutive program.
“We say it often,” said Big M Chief
Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “But horseplayers have
really responded in a big way to our low takeout wagering menu. With six of our
popular 15 percent takeout wagers being offered every night, it has given
players a more realistic chance to turn a profit, making The Big M the best
place to play.”
The streak backs up Settlemoir’s
words. After wagering on Friday, Jan. 29 was a rock-solid $2.93 million, every
card since has seen betting of over $3 million.
Saturday nights in February were
especially vigorous, with the four programs taking in a total of just over $15
million, an average of $3.75 million a night.
During February of 2020, betting was
superb on Saturdays at $2.79 million per card, but still approximately $1
million short of this year’s returns.
Fridays during February were also
fabulous, taking in an average of $3.1 million a card, which was a half-million
more than was pushed through the windows a year ago, which saw just under $2.6
million.
The last eight Big M programs have
seen average nightly wagering of $3.437 million and a per race of $249,987. A
year ago, over the same span, betting was $2.695 million and $207,354.
“Low takeout is a horseplayers best
avenue to being a winner,” said Settlemoir. “Take our 50-cent Pick-4, which has
a 15 percent takeout. If you are playing the Pick-4 at another track that has a
25 percent takeout, you ask yourself: ‘All things being equal, if I switch to
The Big M’s Pick-4, my winnings increase at least 10 per cent from the track
with the 25 per cent rake. What reason is there to bet a Pick-4 with that
takeout if I am serious about being a winning player?’”
WEATHERING THE WEATHER: “We have to acknowledge our track
crew here at The Meadowlands,” said Settlemoir. “February was a terrible month
weather-wise. Standardbred racing had an enormous amount of weather and
track-related cancellations all over the Northeast during the month and we
never missed a day of racing. Our horsemen had tough journeys on the road and
always managed to brave the elements to put on the show for horseplayers around
the world. We are proud of the work our track crew did and appreciate all that
the horsemen do, which the entire sport appreciates very much.”
GIRLS NIGHT OUT: It will be Ladies’ Night at The Big M
this Saturday, as the track will highlight women in harness racing as part of
“Women’s History Month”, and, specifically, “International Women’s Day”, which
is Monday, March 8.
Jessica Otten, the track’s Marketing
Coordinator/TV Talent, will be interviewing the trainer of winter book
Hambletonian favorite Venerate, Julie Miller, during the pre-game show on an
“In The Sulky” segment. In addition, she will have back paddock interviews
during the night with other prominent women who race at The Meadowlands.
LITTLE TO ANNOUNCE: Big M TV’s Dave Little will take a
turn in the booth up on the roof, and “Borrow Ken Warkentin’s Binoculars” by
providing the race calls Friday night. Warkentin will be back on Saturday.
RISI’S IN TOWN: Brett Risi, the Regional Racing
Operations Manager at Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs, will be on set at The Big M
this weekend and serve as co-host of the live presentation on both Friday and
Saturday night.
FREE PPs: “Speaking of horse players,” said
Settlemoir. “The Big M has stepped up and comped everyone a program every night
through the Hambletonian Day card. The free program is available if players go
to our website, playmeadowlands.com.
We at The Meadowlands are grateful to all of our fans for their support.”
THE SCHEDULE: Live racing at The Meadowlands takes
place every Friday and Saturday evening. Post time is 6 p.m.
The track’s live “Racing from the
Meadowlands” pre-game show begins at 5:27 p.m.
GET SOCIAL: You can always check in with the team
at The Meadowlands on Twitter.
For early changes, racing information
and staff selections, go to @themeadowlands or #playbigm.
On race nights, stay in touch with
the Big M’s Dave Brower (@eedoogie), Little (@DaveLittleBigM), Ken Warkentin
(@kenvoiceover), Shades Demsky (@shadesonracing) and Otten (@JessicaOtten1).
CAN’T MAKE IT TO THE TRACK? There are several options for those
who would rather catch the action from The Big M at home.
Racing fans can watch all the races
live on the Roberts Television Network (rtn.tv). In
addition, they can watch and wager by going to the Television Games Network (tvg.com) or their favorite Advance-deposit Wagering
site (ADW).
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 Brower’s selections and commentary. Click on
the “handicapping” tab and go to “race reviews”.
Brower’s input is generally available
48 hours before every card.
Additionally, track announcer
Warkentin’s blog is available on the site and offers his picks and analysis.
$100,000 GUARANTEED: Every night, The Meadowlands
guarantees big green on both editions of its signature wager, as each 50-cent
Pick-4 sports a $50,000 guaranteed pool.
GET YOUR HOOPS ACTION: Mayhem is getting close.
In 10 days, the 68 teams that will
participate in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament will be chosen on
“Selection Sunday”, and bettors can watch and wager on all the tourney action
in The Big M’s FanDuel Sportsbook.
For those who have an opinion right
now as to which team will lift the championship trophy at tourney’s end, they
can back that opinion up and possibly make a score. The No. 1-ranked Gonzaga
Bulldogs are the current favorites at +250, followed by the third-ranked Baylor
Bears at +330. The third choice, at odds of +420, are the No. 2 Michigan
Wolverines.
But that doesn’t mean the action
stops in the meantime.
There is plenty of regular season and
conference tournament college basketball action to bet on until then, as well
as a plethora of other sports, including the NBA, NHL, Premier and Champions
League soccer, professional tennis and more.
The sportsbook is open Sunday-Friday
from 10 a.m.-midnight and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 a.m. The cash counter is open
from 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
