BIG M ‘GUNS’ HAVE TO DECIDE WHERE TO FIRE

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- April 24, 2025 -- Every winter, there are a handful of young drivers who make an impact at The Meadowlands, as most of the A-list pilots who won the Meadowlands Paces, Hambletonians, Breeders Crowns and Fall Final Four/FanDuel Championship events take a well-deserved rest after a hectic six months of Grand Circuit grind.

Since the start of 2025, four of The Big M’s “Young Guns” – drivers under the age of 30 – have excelled, becoming part of the culture that is The Big M experience, but now, like every year when spring is sprung, it’s time for these pilots to make decisions as to what to do next, as work for them becomes increasingly scarce with the drivers’ room getting more and more crowded.

The driver with the toughest call to make is Brett Beckwith. The 2024 Dan Patch Rising Star Award winner has made a number of eyebrows rise with his success at the East Rutherford, NJ, mile oval, as the 22-year-old is currently atop the driver standings with 60 victories.

“If you were to have asked me a year ago, I would’ve said I’m going to go where I can get the most work, but as it’s going right now, it wouldn’t make much sense to leave,” said Beckwith. “If I want to advance my career to the next level, then I have to take the chance and stay at The Meadowlands throughout the year. At that point, you need a little luck and the right opportunities. Plus, I have a very strong work ethic and drive to be my best, so that never hurts.”

Braxten Boyd, whose 27 wins are good for a tie for fifth in the standings, is sure of what he has to do. Friday’s (April 18) card may be the last Big M fans will see of Boyd for a while.

“I actually have already made the decision to leave,” said the 25-year-old. “I get lots of work at Tioga. It’s a business. Usually, I have a better chance at making more money driving there and it’s an hour closer to my home. With the top drivers back at The Meadowlands, I’ll stay at Pocono and Tioga for as many races as I can and try to follow the New York Sire Stakes as much as possible.”

Mark Herschberger, who didn’t turn 30 until two weeks ago, has been the biggest surprise. For the most part unknown until a solid 2024 at Freehold, he currently sits fourth in The Big M standings with 29 winner’s circle visits.

“Ideally, I'd love to stay at The Meadowlands through the summer, although that may not be an option with the Grand Circuit drivers returning,” said Herschberger. “Right now, I'm driving seven days a week at four different tracks – Pocono, Yonkers, Chester and The Meadowlands. I'm hoping that, perhaps, when the big drivers take off for Sire Stakes, with the amount of travel they do, I'll still have a foot in the door at some of these tracks and be able to pick up some live mounts.

“I've prioritized The Meadowlands and Yonkers since they are closest to my home and where I'd like to really focus my drives. Freehold closing was a significant blow to the power I sit behind, so for now, I'm just waiting to see what tracks I get the nicest drives at and I'll take it from there.”

Johnathan Ahle, a regular at Rosecroft and the leading pilot at the Maryland track in 2024, is currently tied for the fifth spot in The Big M standings with Boyd.

“Chester is now open, so I’ll be over there,” said the 28-year-old Ahle. “As far as The Meadowlands goes, opportunities will start slimming down.

“I was usually at Freehold on Saturdays. It was another day of racing and another paycheck and it’s nice to fill an afternoon. As far as the weekends coming up, I have no real plan set up. I’ll take it as it goes. There’ll be some possibilities at Pocono, and, who knows, maybe a New York track. Once the stakes season starts, a lot of the bigger drivers are always moving around, so I’ll try to hit’em where they ain’t.”

HERBERTSON IN THE SULKY: James Herbertson, a 25-year-old standout driver in his native Australia, will be Dave Little’s “In the Sulky” guest when the interview segment is conducted Saturday night at approximately 5:50 p.m.

Herbertson is spending a few weeks in the United States to have a look around and see what things could be in the event he was to consider relocating down the road.

The pilot hasn’t had many drives, but one he does have is a good one from the Ron Burke barn. Last week, he drove track-record holder (for an older gelding) Lexus Kody to a second-place finish in the featured trot and will drive the horse again in Friday night’s marquee event.

GLASER TOP ’CAPPER: Robert Glaser ended Saturday (April 19) night with a bankroll of $798.65 to win the fourth leg of the 2025 Meadowlands Monthly Handicapping Contest. He and second-place finisher Jim Bohnarczyk ($650.80) have now earned spots in the $10,000 end-of-the-year competition that will have only 20 players.

Contest format:

·         Contestants must be on-site to participate

·         Contestants must buy a $100 betting card to participate

·         Contestants must bet a minimum of five Meadowlands races

·         There is no minimum or maximum bet per race

·         Contestants can play any wager(s) on The Meadowlands live wagering menu

·         Contestants keep all pari-mutuel winnings

·         Contestants can enter as many times as they wish

·         The top two finishers earn spots in the $10,000 end-of-the-year contest

Remaining contest schedule:

·         Friday, May 16

·         Friday, June 20

·         Friday, July 18

·         Saturday, August 30

·         Saturday, October 25

·         Friday, November 21

·         The $10,000 invitation-only final is on Saturday, December 13

In addition to Glaser and Bohnarczyk, players that have qualified for the December contest are Nick Montemurro and Gary Scogna (the top two finishers from January); Michael Grasso and Montemurro (February); and Sean Loebs and Joe Barre (March).

Complete contest rules and regulations can be found here.

To participate, players must be 18 years of age or older to wager on racing. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please get help at 1-800-GAMBLER.

SET YOUR ALARM: Saturday (April 26) morning qualifiers will once again have some big names spread throughout the 15 dashes.

Notable horses who will be qualifying include:

·         3^rd qualifier – Champagne Problems

·         4^th qualifier – Lovedbythemasses

·         7^th qualifier – Swingtown

·         8^th qualifier – Sippinonsearoc

·         10^th qualifier – Voukefalas

·         11^th qualifier – Mirage Hanover

·         12^th qualifier – Twin B Joe Fresh

·         15^th qualifier – Miki And Minnie

The qualifiers, which begin at 9 a.m., can be seen live on The Meadowlands website (playmeadowlands.com) or rtn.tv(Racing Television Network). To see the entries, go here.

11 IS HEAVEN: Big M TV host Little and track announcer Ken Warkentin were red hot when it came to handicapping the horses last weekend. For the 28 races that took place April 18 and 19, Little and Warkentin both correctly selected 11 winners.

In addition, Little tabbed six Exactas and concluded Saturday’s program with an ice cold “Little’s Late Double,” which returned $23.

DERBY DAY IS COMING: Spend a few hours at The Meadowlands on Saturday, May 3, and while you are there, enjoy “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports.”

That day, shortly after the start of the live Meadowlands card, catch the 151^stedition of the most famous horse race in the world, The Kentucky Derby, which is contested at historic Churchill Downs.

Now, you could try to head to Louisville, Kentucky, get tickets, and then be crammed into a facility that will have well over 100,000 visitors that day, or, you could come to The Meadowlands and enjoy every minute of the Churchill Downs card in comfort while enjoying some great food and drink.

Doors at The Big M open that day at 9 a.m. with the first race at Churchill Downs heading to the gate at 11 a.m. Fans of both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing have much to get excited about, as, in addition to The Derby, harness fans have a pair of stakes – the Dexter Cup and the Lady Suffolk – to look forward to as well.

Post time for The Kentucky Derby is 6:57 p.m.

Both outdoor Café picnic tables and indoor Lounge tables are available for afternoon dining. To purchase tickets, go here.

Café:

·         $100 per 4-person table

·         Waiter service

·         Guarantees track seating

·         Ticket purchase price is a food credit for use at the Cafe on Derby Simulcast Day for racetrack staples like chicken wings, french fries, cheesesteaks, burgers, pretzels, popcorn, ice cream and more. The credit is valid only on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

Lounge:

·         $75 bar seat / $150 2-person table / $300 4-person table / $300 3-person couch

·         Waiter service

·         Guarantees track seating

·         The ticket purchase price is a beverage and food credit for use at the Victory Bar and Kitchen on Derby Simulcast Day for delicious fare, including burgers, nachos, salads, sandwiches and more. The credit is valid only on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

Pink Restaurant will open early at 4 p.m., and the buffet will begin at 4:30 p.m. The $64.95 buffet (excludes tax and gratuity) features maple bacon deviled eggs, pimento cheese and crackers, Kentucky-rubbed strip loin, hot honey fried chicken, baked macaroni and cheese, pecan pie and blondies. 

Reservations can be made by calling 201-The-BigM (201-843-2446).

AND EVERYBODY WANTS A HAT: Among some other special events taking place on May 3 is the Derby Day Hat Contest, which offers $1,000 in total prize money.

Those interested in participating have to register between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Clubhouse Lobby with judging to take place at approximately 5 p.m.

The prize breakdown: 1st place: $500; 2nd place: $250; 3rd place: $100; 4th place: $50; Fanciest: $100.

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.

WHEN IS LIVE RACING? During the months of April and May, live racing at The Big M will be conducted every Friday and Saturday with a first-race post-time of 6:20 p.m.

THE BIG SHOW: Check out the live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pregame show at 5:45 p.m. every Friday and Saturday when track announcer Ken Warkentin opens up the mic with a scene set and program changes.

Warkentin will then throw to the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set, where The Big M’s Little and Jessica Otten will provide news, notes, selections and a look at the night’s featured races.

Joe Romanelli will handle interviews from the back paddock as well as providing commentary and selections on the FanDuel Television (FDTV) feed.

ACTION BIG, TAKEOUT SMALL: Every night, The Meadowlands offers a marvelous menu of popular wagers that offer a low 15 percent takeout.

They are:

·         20-cent Pick-5: Races 1-5

·         20-cent Survivor Pick-7:Races 3-9 (mandatory payout nightly)

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

·         20-cent Pick-6: Races 8-13

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

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

LET’S GET SOCIAL: 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 team of Otten (@JessicaOtten1), Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).

PARTY ON: Looking to book a corporate event or private party? The Meadowlands has unlimited event possibilities. The redesigned Gallery with multiple TVs, private bar and balcony overlooking the FanDuel Sportsbook is perfect for game days, watch parties and more.

To book your private party, email alokshin@playmeadowlands.com.

FANDUEL IS FABULOUS:Meadowlands regulars know that if they want action on professional and college sports, all they have to do is head for the FanDuel Sportsbook, which is the No. 1 facility of its kind in all of North America.

It couldn’t be easier to access, as it’s located inside the grandstand at The Big M.

The book has 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 NBA Playoffs continue on Thursday (April 24) with one of the three games on the schedule featuring Game 3 of an Eastern Conference quarterfinal, where the New York Knicks travel to the Motor City to take on the Detroit Pistons.

Detroit pulled off an upset in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden to tie the series at a game apiece, yet are still a slight underdog getting a point in the game that tips off at 7 p.m. The Knicks are -118 on the money line in the game that has an under/over of 214½ points.

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.