MONTHLY HANDICAPPING CONTEST A GREAT PLAY AT BIG M

Thursday, April 17, 2025

The Meadowlands is always looking for ways to get people to come to the track, and it has something grand to do just that. Make that 10 grand.

For patrons who enjoy the on-track experience, The Big M is providing a competition that not only provides a challenge, but plenty of prize money as well.

And for those who do well during the course of the 2025 Meadowlands Monthly Handicapping Contest, a huge pot of gold awaits at the end of the rainbow.

This Saturday (April 19) will mark the fourth of 10 installments of the contest, each of which offers $1,000 in prize money, which is divided up among the top four finishers.

The top two finishers from each of the 10 monthly tournaments get to return for an invitation-only end-of-the-year competition where $10,000 will be up for grabs for just 20 outstanding players on Saturday, Dec. 13.

Sean Loebs, a 34-year-old track regular and horse owner, who was the winner of the March qualifier, sees many good things in the competition.

“The unique format of this contest is what I think is appealing,” said Loebs. “Because whether you are a typical win and place bettor or someone like me, who prefers betting Daily Doubles, Pick-3s, Pick-4s, Pick-5s, this format allows you to play to your strengths. It doesn’t box you into mandatory bets.”

The contest doesn’t have a big buy-in. In fact, there is no entry fee at all. There is a $100 live money bankroll required for those who wish to participate, and players must register/check in at the Clubhouse Lobby by 6:20 p.m.

“I think the bankroll not being so large means you have to be tactical about how you play,” said Loebs. “For instance, when I won, I wanted to bet a lot of my money on a chalky Early Double and try to build a lead and I thought there were favorites later on the card I could come back to and make a big win bet if I needed to.

“I think the idea that the Meadowlands came up with of having these “feeder” contests every month is fun because now I have something to look forward to and it also allows me to play and get another seat, or, if I lost earlier in the year, I know another opportunity is coming. Having [a chance at] that big [prize] pool at the end of the year is the goal.”

The contest offers something that the once-a-week or once-a-month visitor to the races may not realize. The $100 betting card is the patron’s own money that they keep at the end of the night. So, entering the contest is something that they should be doing no matter what.

“It almost makes no sense to not give the contest a try,” said Loebs. “Sometimes, in this contest, you have to turn $100 into $300, $400, $500, or $600, which people can do, and because you won the contest [that night], you are now looking at a $10,000 final. If you are going to the track with $100, there’s really no downside to giving the contest a try, all it takes is having a good night at the track and you could be in the final.”

Contest format:

• Contestants must be on-site to participate
• Contestants must bet a minimum of five Meadowlands races
• There is no minimum or maximum bet per race
• Contestants can play any wager(s) on the Meadowlands live wagering menu
• Contestants keep all pari-mutuel winnings
• Contestants can enter as many times as they wish

Remaining contest schedule:

• Friday, May 16
• Friday, June 20
• Friday, July 18
• Saturday, August 30
• Saturday, October 25
• Friday, November 21

Players that have already qualified for the December contest are Nick Montemurro and Gary Scogna (the top two finishers from January); Michael Grasso and Montemurro (February); and Loebs and Joe Barre (March).

Complete contest rules and regulations can be found here.

To participate, players must be 18-years-of-age or older to wager on racing. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please get help at 1-800-GAMBLER.

‘STEAKS’ NIGHT: On Saturday (April 19), there will be an exquisite steak dinner offered in the Skyboxes at The Meadowlands.

The cost of just $100 per person includes a racing program and a $10 betting voucher.

Make your reservations early for what is certain to be a fantastic four-course meal.

To take a look at the menu, and to make reservations, go here.

SET YOUR ALARM: Saturday (April 19) morning qualifiers will once again have some big names spread throughout the 12 races, featuring the first appearance of the season of the 2024 Dan Patch 2-Year-Old Pacing Filly of the Year.

The Chris Ryder-trained Miki and Minnie, who finished off her $834,086 season a year ago with victories in the Breeders Crown and Three Diamonds, will depart from post five in the seventh qualifier with Dexter Dunn in the sulky.

Other notables qualifying:

• 1^st race – Asteroid, Sir Pinocchio, Cool Papa Bell
• 6^th race – El Rey, Captain Luke, Sping Inhis Step A, Bythemissal
• 8^th race – Swingtown, Papi’s Rocket
• 9^th race – Sippinonsearoc

The qualifiers, which begin at 9 a.m., can be seen live on The Meadowlands website (playmeadowlands.com) or rtn.tv (Racing Television Network). To see the entries, go here.

A LOT OF LITTLE: On Friday, April 4, Big M TV veteran Dave Little tabbed six winners on the program.

One week later, he did one better.

Little tabbed seven winners last Friday (April 11), including five in a row spanning races five through 10, which included the Early 50-cent Pick-4, which paid $24.60.

In addition, Little had the Exacta in the fourth and 10^th races and ended his night with Almost Karen, who took the 14^th-race finale and returned $7.60 to win.

GET YOUR FREE PROGRAMS: To show appreciation to its loyal fan base, The Meadowlands offers free program pages for every race of every race card on its website.

Go to playmeadowlands.com, then click on the “news” dropdown to get the past performances at absolutely no cost.

WHEN IS LIVE RACING? During the month of April, live racing at The Big M will be conducted every Friday and Saturday with a first-race post-time of 6:20 p.m.

THE BIG SHOW: Check out the live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pregame show at 5:45 p.m. every Friday and Saturday when track announcer Ken Warkentin opens up the mic with a scene set and program changes.

Warkentin will then throw to the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set, where The Big M’s Little and Jessica Otten will provide news, notes, selections and a look at the night’s featured races.

Joe Romanelli will handle interviews from the back paddock as well as providing commentary and selections on the FanDuel Television (FDTV) feed.

ACTION BIG, TAKEOUT SMALL: Every night, The Meadowlands offers a marvelous menu of popular wagers that offer a low 15 percent takeout.

They are:

• 20-cent Pick-5: Races 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

LET’S 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).

PARTY ON: Looking to book a corporate event or private party?  The Meadowlands has unlimited event possibilities. The redesigned Gallery with multiple TVs, private bar and balcony overlooking the FanDuel Sportsbook is perfect for game days, watch parties and more.

To book your private party, email alokshin@playmeadowlands.com.

FANDUEL IS FABULOUS: Meadowlands regulars know that if they want action on professional and college sports, all they have to do is head for the FanDuel Sportsbook, which is the No. 1 facility of its kind in all of North America.

It couldn’t be easier to access, as it’s located inside the grandstand at The Big M.

The book has massive TV screens and self-service betting terminals, which enable fans to watch and wager in comfort while having some great food and drink.

On Thursday (April 17) local baseball fans will be able to play their favorite teams.

The New York Mets welcome the St. Louis Cardinals to CitiField for a 7:10 p.m. start. The Mets are a -136 favorite in the game that has an under/over of 7½ runs.

The New York Yankees travel to Tampa to play the Rays at 7:05 p.m. Tampa is a -112 favorite in the game that has an under/over of 7½ runs.

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.