ANOTHER FULL SATURDAY IN STORE AT BIG M

Thursday, January 18, 2024

The National Football League playoffs, a championship UFC fight with a big-name meet and greet, an incredible five-course fine Asian meal, and, oh yeah, the best harness racing in the world, can all be found this Saturday (Jan. 20) at the mile track with a host of things to do, The Meadowlands.

“Our goal is to make The Meadowlands a destination for people who want a great night out,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “So, when we offer as many choices as we are this Saturday, it creates a handful of possibilities for patrons who want to have a night out who might not necessarily be fans of harness racing.”

ACTION AT FANDUEL: The Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs are certain to create a lot of excitement – and a lot of wagers – in the FanDuel Sportsbook, which is located in the grandstand at The Meadowlands.

On Saturday, there is a doubleheader that features the top two favorites to win professional football’s championship game.

At 4:30 p.m., the Baltimore Ravens, who are +270 to win the title, host the Houston Texans. The Ravens are a 9½-point favorite who are -450 on the money line in the game that has an under/over of 43½ points.

The 49ers, +175 to win the championship, will take on the Green Bay Packers in an 8:15 p.m. kickoff in San Francisco. The Niners are a 9½-point favorite who are -450 on the money line in the game that has an under/over of 50½.

On Sunday (Jan. 21), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to Detroit for a 3 p.m. game with the Lions (-6½, -290, 48½) before the Buffalo Bills (-2½, -148, 45½) welcome the Kansas City Chiefs to the Queen City for a game that gets underway at 6:30 p.m.

Two great promotions continue through Feb. 11 for FanDuel customers wagering at The Meadowlands:

• NFL Playoff B&G: Bet $250 Parlay Get $50 – Place a parlay wager of five or more legs (inclusive of Same Game Parlay or Same Game Parlay+ wagers) of at least $250 and receive a $50 voucher for use on a parlay wager (inclusive of Same Game Parlay or Same Game Parlay+ wagers) at the Eligible Retail Location (up to a maximum of $200), regardless of if their Eligible Wager wins or loses.
• Football Parlay Insurance: Play a parlay wager at The Meadowlands of at least five legs (maximum 25 legs provided that all legs have a minimum of -220 odds and consist of only NFL markets offered by Sponsor) and receive a bonus of up to $2,500.

Onsite customers can also enjoy the $12 wing bar food special in the Gallery. Diners can grab some wings with various sauces and fries while watching all the football action.

Whatever the sport, for the latest odds, go here

The FanDuel Sportsbook is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-1 a.m.; and Sunday 8 a.m.-midnight. For cash-at-counter customers, the hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.-11 p.m. The Lounge opens at noon on Sundays.

A NIGHT AT THE FIGHTS: UFC 297 takes place Saturday in Toronto, and promises great action, but there’s no need to head for Canada to watch, because you can catch the fights at The Big M. In addition, there’s a special meet and greet guest.

There are a pair of fights that sit atop the marquee. The co-feature is the women’s bantamweight championship where Raquel Pennington takes on Mayra Bueno Silva. The featured event is for the middleweight title in which champion Sean Strickland takes on Dricus Du Plessis.

Those in attendance can meet and greet Bones Jones, a former two-time UFC light heavyweight champ, who is one of the greatest mixed martial artists ever, from 7-8:30 p.m.

The main card will begin at 10 p.m. The watch party at The Big M takes place in the second-floor gallery.

EAT FROM THE EAST, LEARN FROM THE WEST: Also, on Saturday, enjoy a tour of flavors found across all of Asia in a five-course dinner that features a cocktail paired with each course.

Plus, enjoy a “Sports Betting 101” tutorial with Emily West. West is the midday host on The New 102.7 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. She will talk about football, wagering basics and give out some tips for the night’s live harness racing.

The cost of $69.95 per person includes a live racing program as well as a $10 betting voucher. This offer is for those who are 21-years-of-age or older.

For more information, go here.

BIG FIELDS, BIG PAYOUTS: Once again, the overflowing entry box at The Meadowlands will lead to many big fields this weekend.

On Friday, the 14-race program will feature one dozen 10-horse fields, while on Saturday, 11 of the 14 dashes will have 10 noses on the gate. There are 272 horses scheduled to start during the weekend, good for an average field size of 9.71 per race.

Big fields lead to less-predictable outcomes at The Big M, which sets the stage for some handsome payouts.

Some of the better returns last Friday (Jan. 12) came in the ninth-race $2 Trifecta ($4,605.00), ninth-race 10-cent Superfecta ($1,201.00) and 20-cent Pick-8 ($3,803.46).

Saturday’s (Jan. 13) highlight-reel returns came in the seventh-race 20-cent Pentafecta ($6,107.42), 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 ($8,285.22), 13^th-race $2 Trifecta ($1,970.80), 20-cent Pick-6 ($6,221.50), 14^th-race $2 Trifecta ($3,269.80) and 14^th-race $2 Late Daily Double ($891.40).

DID YOU SAY FREE? Free past performances for every race of every Meadowlands card are available by going to playmeadowlands.com.

THE SKED: Racing will be conducted every Friday and Saturday throughout January with a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m.

Big M TV’s live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pregame show begins at 5:45 p.m.

TYLER “IN THE SULKY”: On Saturday, Little will interview driver Tyler Miller on the pregame show “In the Sulky” segment, which takes place shortly after the broadcast begins.

“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).

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

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”.

CUP RUNNETH OVER: On Saturday, Jan. 27, fans of the Thoroughbred game should make plans to be in The Big M’s expansive simulcast area, as Florida’s Gulfstream Park has one of its biggest days of racing this year.

Patrons can watch and wager on a power-packed program that includes the $3-million Pegasus World Cup, $1-million Pegasus World Cup Turf and $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

KIDS IN THE HALL: Calling all college hoops fans! On Saturday, Jan. 27, head to The Big M and watch the Seton Hall Pirates take on the 17^th-ranked Golden Eagles of Marquette at 1 p.m.

The viewing party is in the second-floor Gallery, which is the perfect game day spot.

THE BIG GAME AT THE BIG M: Professional football’s championship game is not to be missed, and the best place to watch – and wager – on the action is at The Meadowlands.

The game takes place on Sunday, Feb. 11, and fans can come to the track and check out the game in the FanDuel Sportsbook. There are plenty of huge HD TVs spread throughout the building along with self-service and teller-operated wagering machines available.

MOOSE AND BANKS: 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 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
• 2-Top Table: $120
• 3-Person Couch: $300
• 4-Top Table overlooking FanDuel Sportsbook: $250

About the Food:

• Wings with 3 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.