PICK-8 GOES UNHIT AGAIN, CARRYOVER CARRIES ON AT BIG M

Saturday, December 23, 2023

With a sequence that saw five consecutive favorites score starting in the second leg, it appeared that the 20-cent Pick-8 would finally yield a winning ticket at The Meadowlands Friday night.

But as it turned out, after 5-1 shot Silent Crossing took the 10^th race, the Pick-8 was assured of carrying over for an eighth consecutive race card without having to see who won the 11^th dash.

Those with seven winning selections cashed in for $994.12.

The carryover for Saturday is sure to stir a lot of interest for big and small players alike, as a total of $84,673 will be in the pool before any “new money” is put in play.

“This is the type of excitement we were hoping for when we added the Pick-8 to our betting menu,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “The total pool on Saturday night will be well over $100,000 with a huge negative takeout, the type of scenario that multi-leg players go for in a big way. If we attract $40,000 in new money, players will be betting into a pool that will return just under 300 percent in the event that there are winning tickets.”

The Pick-8 sequence spans races four through 11. Free past performances for every race of every Meadowlands race card are available by going to playmeadowlands.com.

SILENT CROSSING SCORES: In the $17,000 feature, a non-winners of $12,500 for fillies and mares on the pace, Silent Crossing came from off the pace to score in 1:52.

“She is a hard-trying mare that appreciated the acclimating mile [when third with better foes] last week,” said winning driver Tyler Miller.

Silent Crossing, a 4-year-old daughter of Captaintreacherous-Freedom Crossing, sat a pocket trip most of the way, but had to race wide to escape some traffic in mid-stretch before going on to a 1¼-length score over 5-2 favorite Probert.

“When we found room in the lane,” said Miller. “She knew it was time to go and she paced through the wire for the win.”

Trained by Blake MacIntosh, Silent Crossing returned $12.40 to win as the 5-1 fourth choice in the betting. She’s now won 13-of-66 lifetime outings and earned just over $190,000 for owners Hutt Racing and Blake MacIntosh.

A LITTLE MORE: Five drivers tied atop the leaderboard with two winners apiece on the card. They were Marvin Luna, Johnathan Ahle, Braxten Boyd, Miller and John MacDonald. … MacDonald, Tony Alagna and Michael Meza each trained a pair to victory lane. … All-source wagering totaled $3,038,713, the first time betting has topped $3 million on a Friday since Sept. 8. … Overall, the $3-million barrier has been busted 58 times this year from 86 race cards. … Live action resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m.

PHOTO: Silent Crossing and driver Tyler Miller take the Friday night feature at The Meadowlands. (Credit: Lisa Photo)