WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AT THE BIG M LATELY? EVERYTHING!

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- February 6, 2025 -- Much like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates, lately at The Meadowlands, you never know what you’re going to get.

Longshots were the rule two weeks ago after six horses paid $50 or more over a 28-race span, and while racing last Friday (Jan. 31) did see three horses win at odds of 12-1 or more, what it didn’t see was a single winning favorite on the 14-race program.

Long-range record keeping on this occurrence is not available, but what has been confirmed is that at least one favorite did win on every completed card during 2022, 2023 and 2024.

This happened 13 days after the first triple dead heat for win in Meadowlands history.

“We’ve seen our share of out of the ordinary things of late,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “And our fans have been enjoying every minute of it. While our track is known for favorites not winning as often as most – if not all – harness tracks, for us to go an entire night without one is almost unimaginable.”

When there are few, or, in this case, no winning favorites, there are either big payoffs or carryovers on the track’s popular multi-leg wagers, and that’s exactly how things played out Friday.

After a 20-cent Pick-5 payoff of $4,092.68, the Early and Late 50-cent Pick-4s returned $551.75 and $989.55, respectively.

The 20-cent Pick-6 was almost hit, as heading into the payoff leg (race 13), there were two tickets alive, both with 6-5 favorite Miss Dottie Mae. But she went parked the opening half, which took enough out of her to be gunned down by 5-1 fourth choice Take Your Pick at the finish.

Winner’s odds for the sequence were 7-2, 12-1, 2-1, 9-1, 2-1 and 5-1, creating a carryover of $21,413.55. Those with five correct selections cashed in for $188.92.

The carryover led to bettors pouring $107,130 of “new money” into the pool Saturday (Feb. 1) for a grand total of $128,543. Winner’s odds for that sequence were a popular 9-2, 1-9, 7-5, 3-1, 4-5 and 6-5. The payoff was reduced to $126.96 after four horses ending up scratching out of the payoff leg.

Just one week earlier, a carryover of $28,744 led to a gigantic final pool of $212,687 in the Pick-5.

Chalk players got a little money back on Saturday when five public choices clicked, but eight of the other nine races were won at odds of no less than 2-1 and no more than 9-2, a very good zone for players. There was one longshot, Dance Partner in the fifth, who returned $70.60 to win.

WINNERS, WINNERS EVERYWHERE: After that tough Friday night card, all three Big M TV handicappers had a big Saturday night.

Dave Little led the way, selecting five winners on top, highlighted by Curbside Pickup, who returned $11 in the eighth race. Little also tabbed the first race Exacta ($75) and Trifecta ($256.60) as well as the Early Daily Double ($35.80).

But he wasn’t done yet.

After giving out the cold Exacta ($27.40) in the 11th, Little then treated his followers to a 40-cent ticket on the 20-cent Pick-6, good for $253.92 after an investment of $64.80 and finished the night off with a $2 ticket on the 50-cent Late Pick-4 that paid $21.25 (a return of $85 for a $36 investment).

Ken Warkentin and Jessica Otten each had six winners.

Warkentin’s highlight was Bonaparte ($14) in the fifth race, and he also tabbed the fourth- ($101), fifth- ($82) and 12th- ($19.40) race Trifectas.

Otten tabbed a pair of 9-2 shots – Revolver N ($11.40) in the seventh and Curbside Pickup – as well as giving her faithful the $47.80 Exacta in the eighth race and the Late Pick-4. 

SATURDAYS WITH BARTLETT: Thus far in 2025, there have been five Saturday night programs at The Meadowlands, and one driver has stood far in front of the rest on that night.

Jason Bartlett, the 13-time leading driver at Yonkers Raceway, has won six, five, one, three and three races, respectively, on Saturday nights at The Big M, accounting for 18 of his track-leading 21 victories.

Recently, Bartlett, 43, became just the 14th driver in harness racing history to reach the 11,000-win plateau.

FREE PPs: 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 to get the past performances at absolutely no cost.

THE SCHEDULE: During the month of February, live racing will be conducted every Friday and Saturday with a first-race post-time of 6:20 p.m.

CHECK OUT THE SHOW: On live race nights, check out the live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pregame show at 5:45 p.m. when track announcer Warkentin opens up the mic with a scene set and program changes before the team of Otten and Little take over from the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set with news, notes, selections and a look at the night’s featured races.

Joe Romanelli will handle interviews from the back paddock while Andrew “Shades” Demsky will provide commentary and selections on the FanDuel Television feed.

On Saturday night, catch Otten and her guest, Brett Beckwith, the 2024 Dan Patch Rising Star of the Year, on the next installment of “In the Sulky.” It takes place at approximately 5:50 p.m.

THE BILL OF FARE: Every night, The Meadowlands offers a marvelous menu of popular wagers that offer a low 15 percent takeout.

They are:

·         20-cent Pick-5: Race 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

TIME TO 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).

UFC PARTY: The best place to watch UFC 312 is in The Gallery at The Meadowlands, and there is another great matchup taking place on Saturday (Feb. 8), when Sean Strickland takes on Dricus du Plessis in a middleweight championship rematch.

There are plenty of TVs, a variety of seating and a full-service bar available for patrons who want to check out the fights, which can be wagered on in the sportsbook before heading up to watch the fisticuffs.

The main card gets underway at 10 p.m.

THE BIG GAME IS HERE: You don’t need to be a football fan to be fired up for Sunday (Feb. 9) as it seems just about everybody watches the championship game of professional football.

Fans can watch and wager on the game in the FanDuel Sportsbook, which is located inside the grandstand at The Meadowlands. The venue features numerous large HD TVs throughout the building, as well as both self-service and teller-operated wagering machines.

The FanDuel Sportsbook has first-come, first-served seating in Victory and the Simulcast Lounge.

There is also a great “Big Game” dining option: Enjoy a live Q&A – plus watch the game – with PIX11/WFAN host Marc Malusis and former New York Jets linebacker and current ESPN Radio host Bart Scott.

To buy tickets, go here.

Facts about The Lounge and the event:

·         Overlooks FanDuel Sportsbook and its giant screens on the floor below

·         Numerous screens from wall to wall

·         Table, bar and lounge-style seating

·         Football swag and other giveaways

·         Game insight by Malusis and Scott

About the tickets:

·         All tickets include tax, tip and access to the game-day buffet

·         Seating starts at 5:30 p.m.

·         Game kicks off at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets:

·         Single bar seat: $75

·         2-top table: $150

·         4-top table: $300

·         3-person couch: $300

·         5-person couch: $500

About the food and beverage specials:

·         Wings with 3 sauces: Buffalo, Sweet n’ Spicy, BBQ

·         Hot Dogs

·         Burgers

·         Chicken Fingers

·         French Fries

·         Dessert

·         Beer Bucket and Beer Tower Specials

SHARPEN YOUR PENCILS: The second edition of the 2025 Meadowlands Monthly Handicapping Contest takes place on Friday, Feb. 14.

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.

BRING YOUR SWEETHEART TO THE TRACK: Come on out to the track during Valentine’s Day Weekend, Feb. 14-15, and bring your sweetheart with you so you both can enjoy a Valentine’s Buffet in The Big M’s Pink Restaurant.

The buffet costs just $59.95 per person, but if you upgrade and pay an additional $25 each, you get so much more.

Like what, you say? A sumptuous dinner, which includes one glass of champagne and two glasses of wine. You also get a $5 betting voucher, a live racing program and a rose for every lady.

To take a look at the menu, go here.

For reservations, call 201-THE-BIGM.

PARTY ON: Looking to book a corporate event or private party? Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment 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.

HEAD TO FANDUEL FOR THE BIG GAME: For football fans, and, for that matter, not necessarily football fans as well, Sunday (Feb. 9), is so big it might as well be a national holiday.

That’s the day that the biggest single sporting event of this, or any, year takes place when the National Football League’s championship game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. in New Orleans.

Don’t feel like traveling to the Big Easy to catch the game and pay big green to get a seat (the average ticket price is just over $4,000)? No problem. Head to The Meadowlands and watch and wager on all of the action in the FanDuel Sportsbook, which is the No. 1 facility of its kind in all of North America.

The book has massive TV screens and self-service betting terminals, and Meadowlands regulars know all they have to do is head for the grandstand at the mile oval to get in the sports betting game.

The stakes are high. The Kansas City Chiefs seek to become the first team ever to win three straight championship games, and standing in their way are the Philadelphia Eagles, the team the Chiefs beat in 2023 to start their winning streak.

The Chiefs are a 1½-point favorite and are -120 on the money line. The under/over is 48½ points.

This game is known for its numerous prop bets, here are a few:

·         To be named the game’s MVP: Patrick Mahomes +120; Saquon Barkley +250

·         To score a touchdown:Barkley -190; Jalen Hurts -115; Travis Kelce +125

·         Passing yards: Mahomes 250 or more is -118; Hurts 250 or more is +225 

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.