GLASER, ISSA EARN SPOTS IN BIG M’S $10,000 HANDICAPPING CONTEST

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- February 26, 2026 -- Robert Glaser ended the night with a bankroll of $592.50 to win the second leg of the Meadowlands Monthly Handicapping Contest on Friday (Feb. 20), which offered $1,000 in cash prizes.

Finishing second was Emile Issa, who completed the evening with a bankroll of $500.00, so not only did he walk away with the $500 he cashed handicapping the races, but also the second-place prize of $250.

Glaser took down the first-place prize of $500, and because he prefers to play multiple entries, had betting cards that were third- ($105.40) and fourth-best ($88.40) in the contest, also giving him the $150 and $100 prizes, respectively. The top four finishers in the contest cash.

By finishing first and second, Glaser and Issa have now qualified for the year-end contest “final”, where the limited-to-22-entries competition offers prize money totaling $10,000.

The first leg of the contest took place on Saturday, Jan. 10, with Del Kern and Stefan Ferrara finishing 1-2 to earn spots in the year-end test.

2026 contest schedule:

·         Leg 3 – Saturday, March 21

·         Leg 4 – Friday, April 17

·         Leg 5 – Saturday, May 23

·         Leg 6 – Friday, June 12

·         Leg 7 – Friday, July 24

·         Leg 8 – Saturday, Aug. 22

·         Leg 9 – Saturday, Sept. 5

·         Leg 10 – Friday, Oct. 23

·         Leg 11 – Saturday, Nov. 14

·         Invitation-only $10,000 contest final: Saturday, Dec. 12

Each monthly contest will follow the same format:

·         Contestants must bet a minimum of five Meadowlands races.

·         No minimum or maximum bet per race.

·         All wagers offered on The Meadowlands program are eligible for the contest.

·         Contestants keep all pari-mutuel winnings.

·         Unlimited entries per person.

There is no entry fee (a $100 live-money bankroll is required) for players, and the prize pool is guaranteed at $1,000, funded by The Meadowlands.

On the night of the contest, players must register/check-in at the Clubhouse Lobby by 6 p.m. A $100 betting card must be purchased to participate, as this is a live money/wagering contest. 

The top two finishers from each contest earn spots in the $10,000 tournament “final” on Dec. 12 (22 total players).

To register for the contest, go here.

Must be 18 or over to wager on racing. Gambling problem, dial 1-800-GAMBLER.

CARRYOVER REPORT: The $1 PK 8 went unhit for a third consecutive offering on Saturday, Feb. 21, creating a carryover of $61,232 for when racing resumes Friday. Winner’s odds for the sequence were 2-1, 20-1, 3-5, 4-1, 8-1, 5-2, 3-1 and 12-1. Those with six correct collected $448.20.

A double 20-cent Pick-6 carryover of $11,632 coaxed players to pour $43,490 of “new money” into the pool, and after a sequence where winner’s odds were 5-2, 3-1, 12-1, 1-1, 9-5 and 6-1, three winning tickets were exchanged for $16,199.74.

SEE ANNIE AND DEBBIE: The continually rotating chairs on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set will remain in motion this weekend.

On Friday, Dave Little, back after serving as one of the emcees of the Dan Patch Awards dinner in Florida, will be back in his usual spot serving as host of the simulcast show.

Sitting alongside Little will be trainer Annie Stoebe, who is back on set for a third time. Stoebe is one of the better trotting trainers in the game. During 2025, her older mare trotter Elista Hanover banked over $500,000 during a successful campaign that was highlighted by a win in the $425,000 Hambletonian Maturity.

Stoebe has Hambletonian hopes with Diabolic Hill, who also earned over a half-million dollars a year ago. His big win came in the $421,000 Valley Victory, when he took down Breeders Crown champion Spencer Hanover.

As if those two stars weren’t enough for a smaller-sized barn, Stoebe is adding Rattle My Cage to her lineup in 2026. The son of Love You-Caress The Senses earned over $250,000 in both 2022 and 2023, and Stoebe is hoping to bring him back to his previous glory. Rattle My Cage will qualify next month.

On Saturday, it will be the next edition of the “Dueling Littles”, as married Communicators Hall-of-Famers Dave and Debbie will be side-by-side.

Dave will shift one chair to the right and be the co-host while Debbie will serve as host of the presentation.

The Big M’s pregame show gets underway nightly at 5:25 p.m.

Ken Warkentin and Joe Romanelli will serve in their usual capacities, as track announcer, and paddock interviewer and FanDuel Television (FDTV) analyst, respectively, on both Friday and Saturday.

GET YOUR FREE PROGRAMS: To show appreciation to its loyal fan base, The Meadowlands offers free program pages for every race of every race card on its website.

Go to playmeadowlands.com, then click on the “news” dropdown to get the past performances at absolutely no cost.

A GREAT WAY TO PLAY: Every night, The Meadowlands offers a marvelous menu of popular wagers that offer a low 15 percent takeout.

Here is the rundown of when these wagers will be offered on the 14-race programs that will take place this Friday and Saturday:

·         Races 1-5: 20-cent Pick-5

·         Races 3-10: $1 PK 8

·         Races 6-9: Early 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)

·         Races 8-13: 20-cent Pick-6

·         Races 10-13: Late 50-cent Pick 4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)

·         Race 14: 10-cent Pentafecta (Hi-5)

A SOCIAL SETTING: Everything Meadowlands is available by going on X. You can check in with the Big M team for early changes, racing information and staff selections by going to @themeadowlands or #playbigm.

Stay in touch with The Big M talent duo of Dave Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).

PARTY WITH THE PIRATES: Calling all college basketball lovers!

Come to The Gallery on Saturday (Feb. 28) and catch some exciting men’s college basketball action when the Seton Hall Pirates travel to Mansfield, CT to take on the UConn Huskies, who are currently No. 6 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll.

This will mark the 12th Annual National Game Watch at The Big M. The only place to catch the game is The Gallery, which offers huge-screen TVs, lounge furniture and waitress service.

Tip-off for the game, which will be streamed live on FS1, is noon.

GOOD GRAVY! After the college hoops, stick around and sample some of the best sauce you have ever tasted when The Meadowlands presents The Saucy SmackDown on Saturday (Feb. 28).

On the track’s ground floor, head to Trackside between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. to check out all the simmering sensations.

Do you think you make the best Sunday Gravy, red sauce, marinara or other specialty sauce? Then put your Italian heritage – or lack thereof – to the test in the competition that offers $2,800 in total prize money.

If you are not a cook, no problem. Free samples will be given for the People’s Choice vote following the 7 p.m. turn in. The cook-off takes place in the food court and outdoor East Apron.

For complete information, and how to register to be a contestant, go here.

OH YES, IT’S LADIES’ NIGHT: Join us on Saturday, March 7, as we recognize women in racing.

The Meadowlands will be celebrating International Women’s Day (which is actually on Sunday, March 8). It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

At the races on Saturday, The Big M will have an all-female, five-woman crew bringing all of the action to harness fans. It is believed to be the first time that a track will offer an all-female cast with that many members.

Debbie Little and Meadow Twaddle will be on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set hosting the show. Heather Wilder will be doing paddock interviews.

Melissa Keith, the only full-time announcer in North American harness racing who calls the races at Ontario’s Rideau Carleton, will be on hand looking through her binoculars.

Kiara Morgan will handle all FanDuel TV (FDTV) duties.

The evening will include sizzle videos and interviews with the industry’s top female trainers, drivers, and grooms, as well as a race featuring an all-female driver field.

BET THE NHL IN FANDUEL: Meadowlands regulars who love to plunk down a bet or two on professional sports, know all they have to do is head for the FanDuel Sportsbook, the No. 1 betting facility of its type in North America.

It couldn’t be easier to do, as it’s located inside the grandstand at The Meadowlands. There are massive TV screens and self-service betting terminals, which enable fans to watch and wager in comfort while having some great food and drink.

The Olympics are now in the rear-view mirror, and with Meadowlands regulars all possessing big bankrolls after both the men’s and women’s USA hockey teams won gold in Italy, patrons will want to get more sticks and pucks action.

On Thursday (Feb. 26), local hockey fans will have three games on the menu.

The New York Islanders travel to Montreal for a 7 p.m. faceoff with the Canadiens.

Montreal is +164 laying 1½ goals while the Islanders are +126 on the money line. The under/over is 6½ goals.

In another 7 p.m. matchup, The New Jersey Devils head for Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins.

The Pens are +158 laying 1½ goals while New Jersey is +130 on the money line. The under/over is 5½ goals.

Finally, at 8 p.m., the Philadelphia Flyers will be at Madison Square Garden facing the New York Rangers.

New York is +172 laying 1½ goals while the Flyers are +115 on the money line. The under/over is 5½ goals.

Whatever the sport, for the latest odds, go here.

The FanDuel Sportsbook is open for business Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. – 1 a.m.; and Sunday 8 a.m. – midnight.