Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – One year ago,
with the COVID-19 pandemic continuing its grip on not only harness racing, but
all aspects of life as we once knew it, it was scary to think what might happen
to the game.
Remarkably, the sport has seen a
resurgence as coronavirus restrictions have slowly eased. In fact, last weekend
(May 28-29) was the first since March 7 of last year to see The Meadowlands at
full capacity.
“One year ago, there was no racing
due to the pandemic,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager
Jason Settlemoir. “Perhaps we will look back years from now and might say May
of 2021 was the comeback from the pandemic. And a month for the record books.”
The increases seen during the nine
May programs over the comparable race cards from 2019 are startling.
The month started strong as Sat., May
1 saw the second-highest total handle of 2021 as $4,451,363 was pushed through
the windows, an incredible $1.8 million more than was bet on the corresponding
2019 program. (Saturday’s average per race of $342,412 was a yearly high.)
All nine race cards during May saw
wagering of over $3 million and an increase of at least $500,000 over the
corresponding programs from two years ago. Five programs saw the increase
exceed $1 million.
“What can you say?” said Settlemoir.
“Saturday handle in May averaged almost $4 million a night ($3.993 million).
The 50-cent Pick-4 and 20-cent Pick-5 were over $100,000. The 20-cent Pick-6
handled over $31,000 on Saturday (May 29) without a carryover. The GSY Amateur
Series races handled over $293,000 on race one and $286,000 on race five,
respectively, on Friday (May 28). Our racing has been spectacular and
everything we do right now is getting an enormous response from the
horseplayers around the world.”
Total handle during May was $32.9
million, good for an average per card of $3,664,022. The average per race was
$274,801. When compared to the same month in 2019, total wagering was up $9.7
million, average handle increased $1 million and the average per race was
$74,875 higher.
“Standardbred racing is rolling right
now,” said Settlemoir. “Handle at The Meadowlands is blowing up and Woodbine
Mohawk Park is getting ready to resume and everyone is excited about that. On
Sunday (May 30) night, Hawthorne, Northfield and Philadelphia all saw wagering
of over $1 million. It’s an exciting time for the sport as we roll into the
stakes season.”
BELMONT STAKES SIMULCAST: The 153rd running of The
Belmont Stakes is Saturday, and those who want to watch and wager on “The Test
of the Champion” – named because of its grueling 1½-mile distance – can do so
at The Meadowlands, home of one of the top simulcast facilities in the country.
The first of 13 races on the card
kicks off at 11:35 a.m. The Belmont Stakes, where Essential Quality is the 2-1
morning-line favorite in the eight-horse field, is race 11 and has a post time
of 6:49 p.m.
WALK-UP AND BET: For those who would like to bet The
Belmont Stakes but are short on time, they can stop by and wager fast at The
Big M’s walk-up window on Saturday.
The walk-up window is located in Lot
M off of Berry’s Creek Road (follow the signs), and wagering will be available
from 10:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Past performances will be available.
CHECK OUT DAVE AND DAVE: Make that Brower and “The Mad
Hatter”.
While the Big M’s usual TV duo of
Dave Brower and Dave Little will be on hand to take racing fans through the
Saturday program, Meadowlands regulars will get to see a new face on Friday.
Edison Hatter, the 21-year-old track
announcer at Freehold and Rosecroft Raceways, who has been a staple of late
doing Big M commentary on TVG’s live telecasts, will be on set alongside Brower
Friday night.
Big M TV’s live “Racing from The
Meadowlands” pre-game show, which provides news, notes, features, staff
selections and a look at that evening’s marquee races, gets underway at 5:47
p.m.
Live racing continues every Friday
and Saturday with a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m.
GET YOUR FREE PROGRAMS, HERE! Need a program but don’t want to
spend any green?
The Big M has you covered, with free
programs of every race of every race card. Just go to playmeadowlands.com to get your no-cost
past performances.
A $100,000 PROMISE: Every night, The Meadowlands promises
big money on both editions of its signature wager, as each 50-cent Pick-4 –
which begin in races 6 and 10, respectively – sports a guaranteed pool of
$50,000.
GET SOCIAL, NOT DISTANT: 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) and Jessica Otten (@JessicaOtten1).
WHO DOES BROWER LIKE? For those who like 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.
PLAYOFFS HEAT UP: The NBA and NHL playoffs continue to
roll along, and Meadowlands regulars can get all of their hoops, hockey and
Major League Baseball action at one of the leading sportsbooks in the country,
The FanDuel Sportsbook at The Big M.
For those who think the Brooklyn Nets
– and their “Big 3” of Harden, Irving and Durant – are going to keep on winning
as they take on the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA’s Eastern Conference Semifinals,
they can get the Nets to win the series at -200. If you like the underdog
Bucks, your price would be +160.
But the major sports are not all one
can wager on. Bettors can also play professional golf’s Memorial Tournament and
one of professional tennis’ four majors, The French Open.
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.
