For a fifth consecutive year, the TV teams at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and The Meadowlands will combine forces to bring high-caliber harness racing stakes events to a national television audience over the networks of FOX Sports as part of NYRA’s “America’s Day at the Races” telecasts ...
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- April 10, 2025 -- For a fifth consecutive year, the TV teams at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and The Meadowlands will combine forces to bring high-caliber harness racing stakes events to a national television audience over the networks of FOX Sports as part of NYRA’s “America’s Day at the Races” telecasts.
Currently, there are eight shows scheduled, which will feature virtually every major event at the mile oval during the track’s Championship Meet, which kicks off Kentucky Derby Weekend (May 2-3).
“All of us at The Meadowlands are so pleased to once again be able to bring our biggest events to a national television audience,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “The broadcast crew at NYRA has plenty of experience with shows like these, and that experience shows. The telecasts are always first-rate, and they have had a great effect on getting our races into the living rooms of people who might not otherwise watch them. They have created added interest, as well as added handle, on our races, which proves the shows give us precisely what we are looking for.”
“America’s Day at the Races is proud to be the broadcast home for harness racing’s marquee events, including The Meadowlands’ signature races, the Meadowlands Pace on July 12 and the historic 100th Hambletonian on August 2,” said NYRA Vice-President of Communications Pat McKenna. “NYRA is dedicated to growing viewership and wagering on horse racing, whether it be Thoroughbreds or Standardbreds. Our partnership with the Meadowlands supports these goals by bringing the best racing has to offer to a broader audience on the FOX Sports family of networks.”
Here is the schedule for the FOX Sports shows, with the event(s) that will be featured and the time the show will be
broadcast. Which FOX network the show can be found on – Fox 5 New York (locally), FS1 or FS2 – will be determined:
· May 17 – Cutler Memorial, 8-11 p.m., TBA
· June 28 – Perfect Sting, Brower Memorial, Crawford Farms, Six Pack, 8-11 p.m., TBA
· July 5 – Stan Bergstein Graduate finals; Meadowlands Pace eliminations, 8-11 p.m., TBA
· July 12 – Meadowlands Pace Night (multiple stakes), 8-11 p.m., TBA
· August 2 – Hambletonian Day (multiple stakes), 1-7 p.m., TBA
· September 5 – New Jersey Classic Series finals, 8-11 p.m., TBA
· November 1 – Kindergarten finals, 8-11 p.m., TBA
· November 15 – Fall Final Four, 8-11 p.m., TBA
‘HUNT’ TAKES FIFTH STRAIGHT: I’ll Hunt You Down has been a remarkably dominant force at The Meadowlands over the last two months. So dominant, in fact, that when he won Saturday (April 5) night, he extended his winning streak to five, the longest such stretch at The Big M during 2025.
The 5-year-old gelded son of Huntsville-Crazy On You began his season with a fifth-place finish racing in a $10,000 claimer. He then dropped down to the $7,500 class and put together a four-race period where he won by 5¾, three-quarters, three and 4¾ lengths, never paying less than $3.20 to win and no more than $4.20.
On Saturday, trainer Michael Posner bumped his prized pupil up to the $10,000-$12,500 claiming handicap class, but the result remained the same, as I’ll Hunt You Down and his regular driver, Johnathan Ahle, romped by 5½ lengths in 1:52.3, two-fifths-of-a-second slower than his lifetime best, which was established on March 28. Finally, the betting public caught on, as I’ll Hunt You Down, who is taking this week off, paid $2.20 to win as the 1-9 favorite.
17 QUALIFIERS ON SATURDAY: For handicappers who love to watch qualifiers, Saturday is the day for them, as there will be 17 of the one-mile dashes contested at The Big M. Post time for the first qualifier is 9 a.m.
The qualifiers can be seen live on The Meadowlands website (playmeadowlands.com) or rtn.tv (Racing Television Network). To see the entries, go here.
There will be big names participating throughout the morning, but one horse certain to attract a lot of attention is Louprint, who leaves from post four in the ninth qualifier.
The Ron Burke trainee, who is driven by Northfield Park standout Ronnie Wrenn Jr., was the top 2-year-old male pacer in training a year ago, taking home a Breeders Crown championship before being named his division’s Dan Patch trophy winner.
Leaving from post six is his stablemate, Sippinonsearoc, who will be driven by Yannick Gingras. He was the 2024 Ohio Sire Stakes champion and took a mark during the season of 1:48.2. at The Red Mile, the fastest mile ever by a 2-year-old male pacer.
FABULOUS FRIDAY: It was a nice night for the Big M’s TV team of handicappers on Friday (April 4). Jessica Otten led the way with seven winners, a cold Superfecta and the Early 50-cent Pick-4, while her on-set partner, Dave Little, had six on top, four Exactas, three Trifectas and a Superfecta.
Ken Warkentin selected five winners, and all four members of the team tabbed best bet winners.
Otten had Glittering Hope ($4 to win) in the third race; Little picked Paprike Blue Chip ($3.20) in the 14th; Warkentin gave out The Brodster ($7.20) in the sixth; and Joe Romanelli had Cactustotheclouds ($2.40) in the eighth.
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 month of April, 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 Dave 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).
A GRAND NIGHT: The fourth edition of the 2025 Meadowlands Monthly Handicapping contest takes place on Saturday, April 19. The event goes for prize money totaling $1,000.
For those interested in taking part, these are the details:
There is a $1,000 prize pool and the top two finishers earn entry into a December invitation-only tournament that will go for $10,000 in prize money.
Contestants must be on-site to participate.
For complete information, and to enter, go here.
FIGHT NIGHT: Come out to the track for live harness racing and also catch UFC 314 later in the night on Saturday (April 12).
There are a pair of bouts in the spotlight that will be shown in The Gallery.
Alexander Volkanovski, who has a record of 26-4-0, will take on Diego Lopes, 26-6-0, in a matchup of featherweights before Michael Chandler, 23-9-0, faces Paddy Pimblett, 22-3-0, in a battle of lightweights.
The main portion of the card gets underway at 10 p.m.
The Gallery is a game-day ready destination for live sports, celebrity meet and greets and more. This private room features walls of TVs plus a central 220″ jumbo screen, as well as its own bar and self-service betting machines.
‘STEAKS’ NIGHT: On Saturday, April 19, there will be an exquisite steak dinner offered in the Skyboxes at The Meadowlands.
The cost of just $100 per person includes a racing program and a $10 betting voucher.
Make your reservations early for what is certain to be a fantastic four-course meal.
To take a look at the menu, and to make reservations, go here.
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.
‘MASTER’ BETTING GOLF IN FANDUEL: 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.
This weekend is the biggest of the year on the PGA calendar with The Masters taking center stage in Augusta, Georgia.
Watch and wager on all 72 holes worth of birdies, eagles, pars and bogeys in the book, which has massive TV screens and self-service betting terminals, which enables fans to watch and wager in comfort while having some great food and drink.
Scottie Sheffler (+400) is the favorite to wear the green jacket. He is followed on the odds board by Rory McIlroy (+650), Jon Rahm (+1400), Colin Morikawa (+1600), Ludwig Aberg (+1800) and Xander Schauffele (+2000).
There are numerous prop bets available, which includes “round head-to-head” betting.
One such wager is Scheffler vs. Joaquin Niemann, where Scheffler is -200 while Niemann is +160.
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.
