BIG M OFFERING LIVE ACTION ON THURSDAYS FOR TWO WEEKS

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Need a little extra green for the holiday season?

Well, you’re in luck, as opportunities to walk away with an increased Christmas bankroll will expand over the next two weeks at The Meadowlands, as the mile oval will add Thursdays to its usual Friday-Saturday schedule, and race on Dec. 5 and 12.

Post time is unchanged for all live racing nights, with the first race heading to the gate at 6:20 p.m.

Tonight’s (Thursday, Dec. 5) card will offer 10 races, so everyone will get to go home a little earlier than usual, but the decreased number of races hasn’t decreased field sizes, as the average number of horses per race is 9.4.

“We’ll still be offering our usual Friday and Saturday programs,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “At this time of year, the Thursday cards afford those who are busy with holiday obligations on the weekend to come out and enjoy a night at the races.”

SLIP ME FIVE: Last Saturday (Nov. 30) saw the last major racing program of 2024 at The Meadowlands – as well as the entire industry – on Fall Final Four/FanDuel Championships Night, and, as usual, the card saw some incredible performances.

But one performer stood out from the rest.

Dexter Dunn, the native of New Zealand, completed his sixth full season of racing in the United States, and it is certain to result in the 35-year-old taking home the Dan Patch Driver of the Year Award for a fifth time in the last half-dozen years.

After winning a Breeders Crown single-season record six races over the weekend of Oct. 25-26, Dunn hit the bullseye five times Saturday on FF4/FDC Night to move his seasonal earnings past the $16.5-million mark, over $2 million more than his closest pursuer.

Here’s a look at Dunn’s five-bagger:

• Dunn put Nelsonbriteagle NO on the lead and the daughter of Bold Eagle-Lindy’s Holiday responded with a wire-to-wire win in the FanDuel Open Mares Trot in a lifetime-best 1:49.4 on a night when the real-feel temperature was 27 degrees.
• Miki And Minnie had to race three-wide with cover, but the daughter of Always B Miki-That’s The Ticket powered home nonetheless to win a second-straight major, taking the Three Diamonds for 2-year-old pacing fillies five weeks after wearing the Breeders Crown.
• The presumptive Horse of the Year Twin B Joe Fresh added yet another big victory to her stocked resume, completing a season in which she went 11-for-13 after winning the FanDuel Open Mares Pace.
• After going a trip that was less than opportunistic, Captain Optimistic prevailed in the Governor’s Cup for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers.
• In the final big race of the night, Abuckabett Hanover likely locked up older male pacing divisional honors after sitting a perfect pocket trip before going on to take the FanDuel Open Pace.

How did Dunn fare when he wasn’t winning?

• Super Chapter almost went all the way on the lead, but in a three-way photo at the wire, it was Monserrate and driver Dave Miller prevailing in the Valley Victory for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters. Dunn and Super Chapter were just a half-length back, nudging out third-place finisher Go Dog Go.
• Luna Lovegood led to the top of the lane, but Dunn and “Luna” settled for third after What A Bid Hanover and Voguish finished 1-2 in the Goldsmith Maid for 2-year-old trotting fillies in what was the evening’s most exciting finish.
• In the night’s biggest upset, Logan Park went all the way on the lead for driver Doug McNair in the FanDuel Open Trot. Dunn, driving 1-9 favorite Winner’s Bet, came calling first-over down the backside, but never really threatened, finishing third.

Thus, Dunn hit the board in all eight of the major events on the card. His light burned brightest on harness racing’s biggest days during 2024, as his six-winner Breeders Crown and five-winner FF4/FDC proves. In addition, only one driver this year has won six races on a Meadowlands card, and that pilot was Dunn, who turned the trick on Hambletonian Day (Aug. 3), when he was in the winner’s circle at the conclusion of the John Cashman Memorial (with Jiggy Jog S), New Jersey Sire Stakes 2-year-old filly trot final (Champagne Problems) and Lady Liberty (Twin B Joe Fresh).

SEE THE PAST MASTERS: Come and see a great classic rock and roll show as The Past Masters perform live in Trackside on Saturday (Dec. 7).

Come enjoy live music, horse racing and food and drink specials.

The Past Masters have a strong Big M link, as their drummer is the track photographer, Michael Lisa.

The music begins at 7 p.m. and the show is free to attend.

TOYS FOR TOTS: It’s time for the annual Toys for Tots drive at The Meadowlands.

Anytime you head to the track, you are welcome to donate a new, unwrapped toy for a kid in need every day until Friday, Dec. 13, when the United States Marines Toys for Tots reception takes place from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

At the reception, meet former Nebraska Cornhusker and New York Jet wide receiver Quincy Enunwa.

The toys will then be delivered to SBH Health System on Tuesday, Dec. 17 for distribution to Bronx school children at noon. (For more information, go here.). According to their website: “SBH has delivered compassionate healthcare to the Bronx for nearly 160 years. Today, we continue to provide the highest-quality care and trusted services to everyone in the community.”

YOU MUST VISIT THE GALLERY: A good way to keep the holiday blues away is to spend a night inside The Gallery at The Meadowlands.

It is a game-day ready destination for live sports, celebrity meet and greets and more. This private room features walls of TVs plus a central 220″ jumbo screen, as well as its own bar and self-service betting machines.

If you like the UFC, head to The Gallery on Saturday (Dec. 7) and catch all of the action when UFC 310 is the featured event.

According to sportscasting.com, the co-main event is a welterweight clash between Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry, both of whom enter the octagon undefeated. This matchup is particularly significant as it determines the No. 1 contender spot in the welterweight division, setting the stage for a future title shot against current champion Belal Muhammad, who was originally scheduled to fight Rakhmonov before an injury forced him to withdraw.

In the night’s other big fight, Alexandre Pantoja takes on Kai Asakura in a flyweight bout.

The main events get underway at 10 p.m.

TRIBUTE SPECTACULAR: How about a show when you get to see Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Elton John and Billy Joel all in the span of two hours in the same venue?

OK, it’s not possible, but if you come to The Meadowlands on Saturday, Dec. 14, you’ll get to see a tribute show so good, you’ll think you are seeing the real thing.

Experience the ultimate Elvis, Elton, Aretha and Joel tribute show featuring a live band. Ralph Carey performs as Elvis, Russ Davis is Elton John, Nancy Salters is Aretha Franklin and John Cozolino is Billy Joel.

For complete information and to buy tickets, which are just $35, go here.

The show kicks off at 8 p.m. and the final act ends at approximately 10 p.m.

Seating is limited, so get your tickets today!

MUCH APPRECIATED: On Saturday, Dec. 28, head to The Meadowlands for Fan Appreciation Night.

“We’d like to thank our fans for a fantastic year,” said Settlemoir. “And while we are extremely appreciative of our players who bet us on the various simulcast networks, we like letting our on-track faithful know that we love it when they are inside the building.”

There will be discounted concessions offered from 6-11 p.m. that night. For just $1 in the Cafe, one can purchase hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn and soda.

Bud and Bud Light draft, also available at the Café, will be just $2.

IT’S HOLIDAY TIME: With holiday party time upon us, why not have your group have a fun night at the races by having your gathering at The Meadowlands?

Great food, great drink and great entertainment are guaranteed, and all you have to do to have a great night at the races is call 201-THE-BIGM.

THE SKED: Post time for the first race is 6:20 p.m., but before that, check out the live pregame show with news, notes and selections from the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set at 5:45 p.m.

FA-REEE! 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.

WATCH IT: The Meadowlands is not only the most popular nighttime signal in harness racing, but in all of horse racing, regardless of breed.

For those who want to watch and wager on Big M dashes, it’s hard to imagine their local simulcast or Off-Track Betting venue wouldn’t offer it. But in case they don’t or you’d rather stay at home, check out your favorite ADW (advance deposit wagering site), such as racing.fanduel.com. Another way to view the action is to go to the Roberts Television Network (rtn.tv) site.

“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), Ken Warkentin (@kenvoiceover) and John Rallis (@john_rallis).

RALLIS’ RACE REVIEWS: For some help with your handicapping, check out the race reviews of Rallis, who is the Big M’s morning-line oddsmaker and program analyst.

Rallis’ reviews are available 48 hours before a given card, and all one has to do to access the information is go to playmeadowlands.com, go to the “handicapping” tab, then click “race reviews.”

FOOTBALL IN FANDUEL: In addition to the best harness racing, The Meadowlands also offers the best in sports betting, which means, of course, the National Football League.

Fans know they can watch and wager on all of the NFL action in comfort with plenty of great food options inside the grandstand at The Big M in the FanDuel Sportsbook, the No. 1 facility of its type in North America.

The week begins on Thursday (Dec. 5) when the Green Bay Packers visit Detroit for an 8:15 p.m. matchup against the Lions, who have a record of 11-1. Despite that, the Lions are just a 3-point favorite against the 9-3 Pack. The game has an under/over of 51½ points.

On Sunday (Dec. 8), the New York Jets travel to Miami for a 1 p.m. kickoff with the Dolphins. Miami is a 5½-point favorite in the game that has an under/over of 44½ points.

The New York Giants will be playing in the same early Sunday window when they host the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium. The Saints are a 4-point favorite in the game that has an under/over of 40½ points.

Whatever the sport, for the latest odds, go to fanduel.com.

The FanDuel Sportsbook is open Monday-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.