Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Business at The
Meadowlands continued its remarkable early stages of 2021 run, as after a
highly-successful first quarter, action at the mile oval stayed vigorous as the
second quarter kicked off last weekend with a pair of $3-million handles,
upping the total number of race cards that have surpassed that magic number to
18 on the year.
During all of 2020, the $3-million
barrier was broken a total of 11 times.
Much of the success The Big M has
experienced can be attributed to the half-dozen popular wagers offered nightly
that offer a low takeout of 15 per cent. A prime example is last weekend’s
action in the extremely popular Pick-4, when the bet – which is offered four
times every weekend – took in a total of $367,866 of action, an average per
pool of $91,966.
Meadowlands management is convinced
that when you return more to the bettors, the more bettors will bet.
“All of us at The Meadowlands feel
that low takeout is a key component in bringing horseplayers of all breeds to
wager on our track,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager
Jason Settlemoir. “The Big M offers six chances a night to play into low 15
percent takeout pools. Another significant reason to the play The Meadowlands
is that we offer only one wager (the trifecta, 25 percent) that has a takeout
higher than 20 percent. Judging by our rapidly growing business this year,
players around the world seem very appreciative for the built-in value created
by our price-conscious wagering menu.”
Here is the takeout breakdown at the
Big M:
·
15%: 50-cent Pick-4, 20-cent Pick-5,
20-cent Pick-6, 20-cent Survivor Pick-7, 10-cent Pentafecta/Hi-5
·
17%: Win, Place and Show
·
19%: Exacta, Daily Double
·
20%: Pick-3, 10-cent Superfecta
·
25%: Trifecta
Saturday night saw betting total
$3,444,133, with two popular multi-leg bets showing big returns, with the
Pick-4 averaging $101,770 per pool while the first race Pick-5 saw action of
$82,960. The ever-reliable exacta, which is available on every race, averaged
$72,997, accounting for almost $950,000 of action on the night, more than one
quarter of the total handle.
Some potent payoffs from last weekend
included Friday’s Early Pick-4 ($3,556), Survivor ($15,231) and Pentafecta/Hi-5
($1,224). Saturday’s big payouts came in the Pick-5 ($1,632), Survivor ($6,506)
and Pick-6 ($12,209).
FINAL DERBY PREP: The last prep for the May 1 Kentucky
Derby is on Saturday (April 10) as the $1-million Arkansas Derby takes place at
Arkansas’ Oaklawn Park. The card will be offered as part of an extensive
simulcasting menu at The Meadowlands.
The Oaklawn card has a post time of 1
p.m. with the Arkansas Derby slated to go as race 12 at 7:41 p.m. The horse to
beat is the Joel Rosario-ridden, Bob Baffert-trained Concert Tour, who is the
even-money morning-line favorite. There are four stakes events on the 13-race
program that feature purses of at least $250,000.
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), Dave Little (@DaveLittleBigM), Ken
Warkentin (@kenvoiceover), Andrew Demsky (@shadesonracing) and Jessica Otten
(@JessicaOtten1).
$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 guaranteed pool of $50,000. The wagers span races 6-9 and
10-13.
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.
THE SCHEDULE: Live racing continues every Friday
and Saturday with a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m.
Big M TV’s live “Racing from The
Meadowlands” pre-game show, which provides news and notes, features, a look at
that evening’s featured action and staff selections, gets underway at 5:47 p.m.
BET THE MASTERS: Golf’s biggest event of the year, The
Masters, tees off Thursday (April 8) morning and the place to watch and wager
on all the action is at The Meadowlands’ FanDuel Sportsbook.
Some of the bets that will be
available include Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson, who are both +950 to
wear the Green Jacket Sunday evening. Next up at +1100 are Jordan Spieth and
Justin Thomas.
How about making the cut?
DeChambeau leads the way at -1150, followed by Johnson, Thomas and Jon Rahm,
all of whom are -1100.
How about the top finishing former
winner? Johnson is at +175, followed by Spieth (+250), Patrick Reed (+550) and
Sergio Garcia (+900). All odds shown were as of Wednesday evening.
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.
