Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Two horsemen
stood out in front of the rest during the first weekend of racing at The
Meadowlands in 2022 as driver Yannick Gingras recorded eight winners over the
course of Jan. 7-8 while trainer Mark Ford schooled four to victory lane.
Gingras, who will be inducted into
harness racing’s Hall of Fame in July, was the bettors’ best friend, winning at
a 32 percent clip. His three seconds and five thirds gave him a total of 16
on-the-board finishes from 25 starts, meaning that the 42-year-old Quebec
native “hit the ticket” 64 percent of the time.
His Return On Investment (ROI) was
plus 18 percent.
Heading into Friday’s card, Gingras
thought he might have some success. He was right, hitting victory lane five
times.
“I had some power and they were ready
to race,” said Gingras.
And what’s ahead for this season?
“I’m looking forward to staying
healthy and having a good 2022,” said Gingras. “Atlanta is coming back. And
Branded By Lindy. There’s many others I’m looking forward to driving. This Is
The Plan. And Blue Diamond Eyes, who finished [2021] strong.”
Ford’s four scores came from just
five starts, and his lone non-winner came in third, so his win (80) and
in-the-money (100) percentages were both remarkable.
His ROI was off the charts at plus
426 percent, as his winners returned $6.60, $17.20, $16.80 and $12.20 to win.
Gingras drove all but one of Ford’s winner’s circle visitors.
“Every little bit helps. It’s not the
first time that’s happened, you know,” joked Ford, with his tongue firmly in
cheek.
On a more serious note, the President
of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey for the
last seven years is pleased with the current harness racing environment in the
Garden State.
“There have been a lot of ups and
downs over the last four or five years,” said Ford. “We have finally righted
the ship and it seems like better times are ahead. Getting a piece of the
sports wagering and the appropriation from the state have us going well now.
“[Meadowlands Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer] Jeff Gural, some people like him, some don’t, but the proof
is in the pudding. He has gone after the drug problem and bettors have a good
feeling that they are getting a better shake when they go to The Meadowlands.”
THE SKED: Racing at The Big M is conducted on a
Friday-Saturday basis and has a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m.
The track’s live “Racing from The
Meadowlands” pre-game show kicks off nightly at 5:37 p.m.
CLIMB IN THE SULKY: There will be some special guests on
the track’s “In the Sulky” pre-game show segment this weekend. Jim King
Solomon, who played a key role in putting together this weekend’s Dr. Martin
Luther King Remembrance events will be interviewed by Dave Little on Friday
while Dave Brower will be joined by Northwood Bloodstock’s Bob Boni on
Saturday. Brower and Boni will be talking about Monday’s Winter Mixed Sale at
The Big M.
BIG POOLS, SMALL TAKEOUTS: The Meadowlands is the industry’s
handle leader, and much of the reason why is many of the bets the mile oval
offers feature a low takeout of 15 percent.
Here is a rundown of those wagers for
the upcoming weekend:
·
Race 1: 20-cent Pick-5
·
Race 3: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7
·
Race 6: 50-cent Early Pick-4 ($50,000
guaranteed pool)
·
Race 8: 20-cent Pick-6
·
Race 10: 50-cent Late Pick-4 ($50,000
guaranteed pool)
·
Race 15: 10-cent Pentafecta/Hi-5
WHO DOES BROWER LIKE? For expert selections and analysis of
every Big M card, check out track oddsmaker Brower’s race reviews.
For Brower’s input, which is
generally available 48 hours before every card, go to playmeadowlands.com, then click on the
“handicapping” tab and go to “race reviews”.
FREE PROGRAMS: Free past performances for every race
of every Meadowlands program are available 48 hours before a given card. To
access the no-cost official program pages, go to playmeadowlands.com.
A NEW LOOK: The Meadowlands website has had a
makeover, and those seeking the 411 on everything Big M can now do so at a site
with a clean, modern design that is mobile phone responsive.
As it has always been, the address is
playmeadowlands.com and is worth
checking out.
GET SOCIAL: Everything Meadowlands is available
by going on Twitter. You can check in with the Big M team for early changes,
racing information and staff selections by going to @themeadowlands or
#playbigm.
On race nights, stay in touch with
Jessica Otten (@JessicaOtten1), Brower (@eedoogie), Little (@DaveLittleBigM),
Ken Warkentin (@kenvoiceover), Shades (@ShadesOnRacing) and Edison Hatter
(@Edison_1999_).
WHAT’S COMING UP? On Saturday, Jan. 22, The Big M will
host a World Harness Handicapping Championship Qualifier where the prize money
– based on 50 entrants – is $10,000. In addition, the top four finishers get a
seat in the WHHC Final, which takes place at the mile oval on Saturday, Sept.
10.
For complete details, go to https://playmeadowlands.com/event/2022-january-400-whhc-qualifier/
One of the more popular promotions at
the track is the “Chili Cook-Off”, which takes place on Saturday, Jan. 29.
Patrons can walk around and taste samples, or, if you have a chili recipe, come
on out and participate. You might walk away with the $1,000 grand prize.
For more information, go to https://playmeadowlands.com/event/2022-meadowlands-winter-chili-cook-off/
NFL fans can come to The Meadowlands
on the day of the league’s championship game (Sunday, Feb. 13) and watch and
wager on the biggest event of the year in American sports by viewing the game
on huge-screen TVs that will be spread throughout the building and wagering on
it in the FanDuel Sportsbook.
There will also be several dining
options so fans can have a place to watch the game and have some great eats at
the same time.
For all the details, and to make a
reservation, go to https://playmeadowlands.com/event/big-game-dining/
SPEAKING OF FOOTBALL BETTING: Wild-Card Weekend kicks off this
weekend on Saturday, Jan. 14, and you can watch and wager on the action inside
the grandstand at The Meadowlands in the FanDuel Sportsbook.
The action gets underway Saturday at
4:30 p.m. when the Las Vegas Raiders visit the Cincinnati Bengals, who are a
4½-point point-spread favorite that are -225 on the money line. The under/over
is 48½.
AFC East rivals clash when The New
England Patriots visit the Buffalo Bills at 8:15 p.m. The Bills are -4 and -205
while the U/O is 44.
The action will then resume Sunday
(Jan. 15) when the Philadelphia Eagles head to Tampa Bay to take on the
defending champion Buccaneers at 1 p.m. The Bucs are -8½ and -370 and the U/O
is 46.
At 4:30 p.m., the San Francisco 49ers
head to Dallas, where the Cowboys are -3 and -162. The U/O is 51.
The night game (8:15 p.m.) finds the
biggest favorite of the weekend as the Kansas City Chiefs host the Pittsburgh
Steelers. The Chiefs are a 12½-point favorite and a -700 money-line choice. The
U/O is 46.
The weekend will conclude Monday
(Jan. 17) night when the Arizona Cardinals head to Los Angeles to take on the
Rams at 8:15 p.m. The Rams are a 3½-point choice and -194 on the money line.
The U/O is 49½.
Hours for the FanDuel Sportsbook are
Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m.-1 a.m.; Friday 10 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday 7
a.m.-2 a.m. and Sunday 8 a.m.-12 a.m.
