POTENT PAYOUTS PROLIFERATE THURSDAY BIG M PROGRAM AGAIN

Friday, December 13, 2024

For the second consecutive week, big payouts were the norm at The Meadowlands on the second and final Thursday night of racing on the 2024 calendar.

The evening got off to a good start when 35-1 shot Allindotime got up by a nose in the first race, keying a $532.60 payoff in the Daily Double and a return of $7,936.10 in the 20-cent Pick-5.

The good times kept on rolling in the sixth race when winning Early 50-cent Pick-4 tickets were exchanged for $2,696.60, that return bolstered by the Stacy Chiodo-trained and driven I Am The Fire, who scored at 19-1 in the payoff leg.

The 20-cent Pick-6, aided by a carryover of $4,038, saw a little more than $16,000 in “new money” poured into the pot, and after a sequence that saw winner’s odds of 7-2, 19-1, 5-2, 3-5, 3-5 and 4-5, with Chiodo’s horse fueling the big-payout fire once again, winning tickets were greeted with a return of $2,548.80.

HARRIS BROTHERS SCORE: Trainer Andrew Harris combined with his twin brother, driver J, to win the $16,000 featured conditioned pace for 2- and 3-year-olds.

Miki Ray, a 3-year-old gelded son of Always B Miki-Victoria Semalu, came from off the pace to win in a snappy 1:50.3 on a night with a real-feel temperature of 22 degrees as the 3-5 favorite.

“I had a big horse who is a grinder,” said J. “It worked out well. I didn’t have to do much work after I popped off the helmet [in front of me]. I didn’t want to use him too hard, too early.”

“It’s a lot warmer here,” said J, who is from Ontario. “The track here is amazing and my brother had that horse ready to go.”

It was the first-ever win for J at The Big M, who said he may be showing up more often at the mile oval after the New Year.

A LITTLE MORE: Johnathan Ahle led the drivers with a pair of wins on the card. … All-source betting on the 10-race program totaled $1,033,392. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m.

PHOTO: Miki Ray and driver J Harris won the Thursday night feature at The Meadowlands. (Credit: Lisa Photo)