BIG M HANDLE TOPS $3 MILLION PER CARD AGAIN

Thursday, January 2, 2025

It was another banner year from a business perspective at The Meadowlands, as for the third time in the last four years, average daily wagering at the industry’s handle leader topped $3 million.

“It’s our goal to wager $3 million on any given card,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “Whether it’s Meadowlands Pace Night or an ordinary winter Saturday night, that’s the bar we always try to clear, and we were fortunate enough to do that a majority of the time during 2024.”

Over the course of the year, betting bettered the $3-million mark on 46 occasions at the mile oval, meaning wagering exceeded that lofty plateau 52 percent of the time.

After $2,894,453 was wagered on Saturday’s (Dec. 28) 14-race card, action for the 88 programs contested during 2024 totaled $264,427,375, an average per card of $3,004,856.

Many of harness racing’s biggest programs during the course of any year take place at The Meadowlands, and, not surprisingly, the biggest day on the harness racing calendar resulted in its biggest day at the windows, as an industry-best $7.4 million was put in play on Hambletonian Day five months ago.

These are the top five handles on a single card during 2024 at The Meadowlands:

• 1. $7,427,223 (Aug. 3, Hambletonian Day)
• 2. $5,136,129 (July 13, Meadowlands Pace Night)
• 3. $4,356,475 (Oct. 26, Breeders Crown Finals – Night II)
• 4. $3,870,638 (May 4, Kentucky Derby Day)
• 5. $3,779,096 (Jan. 27)

Breeders Crown weekend (Oct. 25-26) was a record-setter.

Since the four races on Friday and eight on Saturday format went into existence, The Meadowlands total handle of $7,372,478 in 2021 had stood as the standard.

But this year, when you add Friday’s (Breeders Crown Finals – Night I) total of $3,369,424 to Saturday’s action, you get the new mark of $7,725,899.

2024 BY THE NUMBERS: Dave Miller was the leading driver at The Big M during 2024 with 106 wins. He was followed by Dexter Dunn (98), Todd McCarthy (86), Andy McCarthy (82) and Yannick Gingras (78).

With a record six Breeders Crown wins and five more scores on Fall Final Four/FanDuel Championships Night, it’s no surprise that Dunn was the leading money-earning driver with $5.9 million.

Ron Burke was the leading trainer with 60 victories. He was followed by Nancy Takter (46), Jeff Cullipher (40), Ake Svanstedt (35) and Per Engblom (33).

Svanstedt led in money-earnings with $3.568 million, slightly more than runner-up Burke, who accrued $3.560 million.

Post-position five once again was the best starting berth at The Big M, winning 15.3 percent of the time. Next was post six (14.7), post seven (11.9), post one (11.6) and post three (11.3).

THE SCHEDULE: During the month of January, 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 Ken Warkentin opens up the mic with a scene set and program changes before the team of Jessica Otten and Dave Little take over from the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set with news, notes, selections and a look at the night’s featured races.

Northfield Park’s Michael Carter will be on hand this weekend conducting interviews from the back paddock throughout the evening.

FREE PPs: To show appreciation to its loyal fan base, The Meadowlands offers free programs on every race of every race card on its website.

Go to playmeadowlands.com to get the past performances at absolutely no cost.

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).

SHARPEN YOUR PENCILS: Come on out to the track on Friday, Jan. 17, for the first of what will be a monthly handicapping contest with a prize pool of $1,000.

Contestants must be on-site to participate and the top two finishers earn a spot in a $10,000 invitation-only handicapping contest that takes place in December.

For complete information, and to enter, go here.

CIRCLE THE DATE: One of The Big M’s most popular giveaways takes place on Saturday, Jan. 18, with the track’s 2025 Calendar Giveaway, which is chock full of photos commemorating highlights of the 2024 season.

Starting at 6 p.m., the first 1,000 guests will receive a calendar. One per person, please.

PIRATE PARTY: A great college basketball matchup will be in the spotlight on Saturday, Jan. 25, when the Seton Hall Pirates head to Omaha, NE to take on the Creighton Blue Jays in a 12:30 p.m. tip-off.

There’s no need to travel across the country to catch the action. Head to The Meadowlands and watch the game in The Gallery, where there are huge TVs and waitress service.

For complete information, go here.

CHILI COOK-OFF: One of The Meadowlands’ more popular promotions is the Chili Cook-Off, and the winter edition of the tasty treat takes place on Saturday, Feb. 1.

There will be prizes for Homestyle Chili, Red Chili, People’s Choice Chili, Best Booth and Salsa.

If you are a cook, come on out and see how your skills in the kitchen stack up against everybody else’s in the contest. Not a cook? Come and get yourself some free samples all night long.

For complete information, and how to enter, go here.

FOOTBALL FANDUEL FABULOUS: The FanDuel Sportsbook is the No. 1 facility of its kind in all of North America. With massive TV screens and self-service betting terminals, Meadowlands fans know all they have to do is head for the grandstand at the mile oval to get in the sports betting game.

The football action will be fast and furious during this final week of regular-season play in the National Football League.

It gets underway Saturday (Jan. 4), when Big M fans can play the harness races and pro football at the same time.

The Cleveland Browns travel to Baltimore for a 4:30 p.m. game with the Ravens, who are a 17½-point favorite in the game that has an under/over of 41½ points.

Pittsburgh hosts the Cincinnati Bengals in an 8 p.m. kickoff. The Bengals are a 1½-point favorite over the Steelers in the game that has an under/over of 48½.

On Sunday (Jan. 5), the New York Giants head to Philadelphia for a 1 p.m. kickoff with the Eagles, who are a 3-point favorite in the game that has an under/over of 37½.

The New York Jets will host the Miami Dolphins in a game that gets underway at 4:25 p.m. The Dolphins are a 1½-point favorite in the game that has an under/over of 39½.

Finally, the game of the week takes place at 8:20 p.m., when the Minnesota Vikings head to Detroit to take on the Lions, who are a 2½-point favorite in the game that has an under/over of 56½. Both teams are 14-2. The winner will be the top seed in the NFC, assuring home field advantage up to and including the NFC Championship game.

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.