THE POWER OF THE PICK-6 AT THE BIG M

Thursday, February 1, 2024

On a night-to-night basis, the 50-cent Pick-4 and 20-cent Pick-5 are the most popular multi-leg bets offered at The Meadowlands, but when it comes to a wager where carryovers create big-time excitement among Big M players, the 20-cent Pick-6 rules the roost.

Last Friday (Feb. 26), how the large P6 pool was created was somewhat ordinary, but after the six legs were contested, the results were extraordinary.

Before Friday, the last time the Pick-6 was hit was on Jan. 13, when one winning ticket returned $6,221.50. Not bad at all. But as it turned out, peanuts compared with what was to come.

On Jan. 19, the Pick-6 failed to yield a winning ticket, creating a carryover of $4,532. The next night (Jan. 20), once again, no winners, upping the carryover to $14,531. Now, bettors had the motivation they needed to jump into the pool, which totaled over $54,000 after more than $40,000 in “new money” was funneled in the pot.

“The 20-cent Pick-6 figured to attract a lot of attention last Friday night,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “And it certainly did. When the Pick-6 concluded after race 13, there was one winner that successfully navigated the complex puzzle.”

After a sequence that saw winner’s odds of 7-5, 20-1, 6-5, 8-1, 5-1 and 9-1, that shrewd handicapper walked away with $48,579.92.

“There is a new catch phrase at The Meadowlands,” said Settlemoir. “Which is creating a lot of interest not only in the racing world, but the gambling world as well. The term ‘negative takeout’ is when you pay out more money than the amount wagered. The Big M offers these what-used-to-be-rare opportunities frequently, where the combination of low takeout and a carryover create enormous mathematical advantages for the horseplayer.”

Last Friday, the total pool exceeded the new money by $4,000, so the winning bettor was in a pool that returned 111 percent to him or her.

“Pick-6 fans will have another shot at a carryover this Friday (Feb. 2),” said Settlemoir. “There is a 20-cent minimum bet and a low 15 percent takeout. The Pick-6 starts on race eight, with a carryover of $5,938, and our fans should always keep in mind that we offer free past performances for all Meadowlands programs at playmeadowlands.com.”

HANDLE CLEARS HIGH BAR: Last Saturday’s all-source handle of $3,779,096 represented a 2024 Big M best, exceeding the previous high by more than a half-million dollars ($3.2 million on Jan. 5).

“The Meadowlands rolls into February off our biggest handle of the year,” said Settlemoir. “Saturday night, a perfect storm created giant pools all night, which helped us average almost $270,000 per race.

“We got an enormous boost from Gulfstream Park’s Pegasus World Cup, as the $3-million event was the last race on the card at approximately 5:45 p.m. The lead-in audience from Gulfstream got us off to a huge start and the handle remained stellar throughout the entire evening. Big 10-horse fields continue to create big pools.”

The “Big 3” signature wagers got their usual excellent response on Saturday, as the 20-cent Pick-5 took in $72,509, while the Early and Late 50-cent Pick-4s saw $81,399 and $76,865 pushed through the windows, respectively.

“The Meadowlands offers eight wagers every night with a low 15 percent takeout,” said Settlemoir. “When those wagers have carryovers, the negative takeout scenario presents itself, offering our players more value and a higher return on their wagering dollar.”

THE GREAT EIGHT: The Meadowlands provides eight opportunities for the player to make a score trying their luck betting in pools with a low 15 percent takeout. The lineup of The Big M’s “Great Eight” is as follows (all wagers – with the exception of the Pick-7 – are carryover eligible):

• Race 1: 20-cent Pick-5
• Race 2: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7
• Race 4: 20-cent Pick-8
• Race 6: 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guarantee)
• Race 7: 20-cent High-5
• Race 8: 20-cent Pick-6
• Race 10: 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guarantee)
• Race 11: 20-cent High-5

“X” MARKS THE SPOT: Everything Meadowlands is available by going on X (formerly known as Twitter). 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 Jessica Otten (@JessicaOtten1), Dave Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Ken Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).

WITHERITE’S RACE REVIEWS: Race reviews and selections by The Meadowlands’ morning-line odds maker and program analyst James Witherite are available 48 hours before a given race card. To access, simply go to playmeadowlands.com, go to the “handicapping” tab, then click “race reviews”.

SURVIVAL MODE: The track’s Winter Meet Survival Challenge, powered by 123Racing, is in full swing, and when the contest concludes, cash prizes and Meadowlands swag will go to those at or near the top of the leaderboard in the free online competition.

TrackMaster is providing Platinum Past Performances for each night of the contest. The game covers the Winter Meet and concludes March 30.

The current top three in the standings are turnpike ted ($343.30), Tomahawk ($331.70) and Gabbymic ($311.80).

The winner, who will collect $750 plus a Meadowlands swag package (second and third-place finishers will also earn cash prizes), will be determined by the highest total bankroll at the end of the Challenge based on a $2 across-the-board wager on selections for three designated races on each program.

For more information, go here.

CHECK OUT THE SHOW: Join The Meadowlands’ TV team of Otten and Little this weekend as they will be on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set with The Big M’s live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pregame show and commentary about the races throughout the night.

The broadcast will start at 5:45 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday with track announcer Michael Carter, who will substitute for Warkentin, going over some of the track’s promotions before he gives out the scratches and driver changes on the program.

Live racing takes place every Friday and Saturday with a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m.

BET THE BIG GAME: The championship of professional football will be determined on Sunday, Feb. 11, as the Kansas City Chiefs look for a second consecutive Vince Lombardi Trophy when they take on the San Francisco 49ers in a 6:30 p.m. kickoff.

As of Thursday (Feb. 1) morning, the 49ers were a 2½-point favorite who were -130 on the money line in the game that had an under/over of 47½ points.

Naturally, you can get all of your action on the big game in the No. 1 sports betting facility in North America, the FanDuel Sportsbook, which is located inside the grandstand at The Meadowlands. There are plenty of huge HD TVs spread throughout the building along with self-service and teller-operated wagering machines available.

THE BEST WATCH PARTY: There will be a VIP Watch Party with Marc Malusis and former New York Giants great Carl Banks when The Big M hosts the best watch party anywhere for the big game on Feb. 11.

The event, which will require a ticket, will feature a live Q&A with PIX11/WFAN host Malusis along with his special guest, Banks, who was twice a part of championship teams.

What can patrons expect?

• Seating that overlooks the FanDuel Sportsbook and its giant screens on the floor below
• Tons of screens from wall to wall
• Table, bar and lounge-style seating
• Football swag and other giveaways
• Seating starts at 5:30 p.m.
• Q&A at 6 p.m.
• Game time at 6:30 p.m.

About the tickets:

• All tickets include tax, tip, and access to the game-day buffet
• Entry starts at 5:30 p.m. Your ticket guarantees a seat(s) in your section, but selection is first come, first serve
• Single Bar Seat: $60
• Two-Top Table: $120
• Three-Person Couch: $300
• Four-Top Table overlooking FanDuel Sportsbook: $250

About the food:

• Wings with three sauces: Buffalo, Sweet n’ Spicy, BBQ
• Hot Dogs
• Hamburgers
• Chicken Fingers
• Fries
• Dessert

To purchase tickets, go here.

ELVIS AND ELTON IN THE BUILDING: Back by popular demand, check out the Elvis and Elton Tribute Show at The Big M on Saturday, Feb. 10.

Experience the music of Elvis Presley and Elton John, featuring a live band. Ralph Carey performs as Elvis and Russ Davis is Elton. Each performer will do a set before both come back to do a duet for the third and final act. Tickets are only $25.

The show will take place inside on the ground level in Trackside and begins at 8 p.m. The show will conclude at approximately 10 p.m.

Seating is limited, so get your tickets today by going here.

WINTER CHILI COOK-OFF: On Saturday, Feb. 17, one of the most popular Big M events is back again, as cooks and tasters alike will be on hand for the 2024 Winter Chili Cook-Off.

The contest will take place Trackside (on the ground floor) from 5-9 p.m., so if you think you make the best chili, enter the contest and show the judges what you’ve got.

Not a cook? Free samples will be given for the People’s Choice vote following the 7 p.m. turn-in. The Cook-off will take place in the Food Court and outdoor East Apron area.

For complete information, and to enter, go here.

PERUVIAN PAIRING: The Meadowlands will offer a tour of Peruvian flavors in a sensational five-course meal where each course is paired with a glass of wine on Saturday, Feb. 24.

The cost is just $69.95 per person (for those 21 or older), and for reservations, call 201-THE-BIGM.

To take a look at the menu, go here.

A GREAT STEAK: If you’re after a top-notch steak dinner, head to The Meadowlands on Saturday, March 9, when the track hosts a steakhouse dinner in the skyboxes.

The fabulous four-course meal costs $100 per person, and to make reservations, call 201-THE-BIGM.

To check out the bill of fare, go here.