WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AT THE BIG M LATELY? EVERYTHING!

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Much like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates, lately at The Meadowlands, you never know what you’re going to get.

Longshots were the rule two weeks ago after six horses paid $50 or more over a 28-race span, and while racing last Friday (Jan. 31) did see three horses win at odds of 12-1 or more, what it didn’t see was a single winning favorite on the 14-race program.

Long-range record keeping on this occurrence is not available, but what has been confirmed is that at least one favorite did win on every completed card during 2022, 2023 and 2024.

This happened 13 days after the first triple dead heat for win in Meadowlands history.

“We’ve seen our share of out of the ordinary things of late,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “And our fans have been enjoying every minute of it. While our track is known for favorites not winning as often as most – if not all – harness tracks, for us to go an entire night without one is almost unimaginable.”

When there are few, or, in this case, no winning favorites, there are either big payoffs or carryovers on the track’s popular multi-leg wagers, and that’s exactly how things played out Friday.

After a 20-cent Pick-5 payoff of $4,092.68, the Early and Late 50-cent Pick-4s returned $551.75 and $989.55, respectively.

The 20-cent Pick-6 was almost hit, as heading into the payoff leg (race 13), there were two tickets alive, both with 6-5 favorite Miss Dottie Mae. But she went parked the opening half, which took enough out of her to be gunned down by 5-1 fourth choice Take Your Pick at the finish.

Winner’s odds for the sequence were 7-2, 12-1, 2-1, 9-1, 2-1 and 5-1, creating a carryover of $21,413.55. Those with five correct selections cashed in for $188.92.

The carryover led to bettors pouring $107,130 of “new money” into the pool Saturday (Feb. 1) for a grand total of $128,543. Winner’s odds for that sequence were a popular 9-2, 1-9, 7-5, 3-1, 4-5 and 6-5. The payoff was reduced to $126.96 after four horses ending up scratching out of the payoff leg.

Just one week earlier, a carryover of $28,744 led to a gigantic final pool of $212,687 in the Pick-5.

Chalk players got a little money back on Saturday when five public choices clicked, but eight of the other nine races were won at odds of no less than 2-1 and no more than 9-2, a very good zone for players. There was one longshot, Dance Partner in the fifth, who returned $70.60 to win.

WINNERS, WINNERS EVERYWHERE: After that tough Friday night card, all three Big M TV handicappers had a big Saturday night.

Dave Little led the way, selecting five winners on top, highlighted by Curbside Pickup, who returned $11 in the eighth race. Little also tabbed the first race Exacta ($75) and Trifecta ($256.60) as well as the Early Daily Double ($35.80).

But he wasn’t done yet.

After giving out the cold Exacta ($27.40) in the 11^th, Little then treated his followers to a 40-cent ticket on the 20-cent Pick-6, good for $253.92 after an investment of $64.80 and finished the night off with a $2 ticket on the 50-cent Late Pick-4 that paid $21.25 (a return of $85 for a $36 investment).

Ken Warkentin and Jessica Otten each had six winners.

Warkentin’s highlight was Bonaparte ($14) in the fifth race, and he also tabbed the fourth- ($101), fifth- ($82) and 12^th– ($19.40) race Trifectas.

Otten tabbed a pair of 9-2 shots – Revolver N ($11.40) in the seventh and Curbside Pickup – as well as giving her faithful the $47.80 Exacta in the eighth race and the Late Pick-4.

SATURDAYS WITH BARTLETT: Thus far in 2025, there have been five Saturday night programs at The Meadowlands, and one driver has stood far in front of the rest on that night.

Jason Bartlett, the 13-time leading driver at Yonkers Raceway, has won six, five, one, three and three races, respectively, on Saturday nights at The Big M, accounting for 18 of his track-leading 21 victories.

Recently, Bartlett, 43, became just the 14^th driver in harness racing history to reach the 11,000-win plateau.

FREE PPs: 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 to get the past performances at absolutely no cost.

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

Joe Romanelli will handle interviews from the back paddock while Andrew “Shades” Demsky will provide commentary and selections on the FanDuel Television feed.

On Saturday night, catch Otten and her guest, Brett Beckwith, the 2024 Dan Patch Rising Star of the Year, on the next installment of “In the Sulky.” It takes place at approximately 5:50 p.m.

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).

UFC PARTY: The best place to watch UFC 312 is in The Gallery at The Meadowlands, and there is another great matchup taking place on Saturday (Feb. 8), when Sean Strickland takes on Dricus du Plessis in a middleweight championship rematch.

There are plenty of TVs, a variety of seating and a full-service bar available for patrons who want to check out the fights, which can be wagered on in the sportsbook before heading up to watch the fisticuffs.

The main card gets underway at 10 p.m.

PARTY ON: Looking to book a corporate event or private party?  Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment 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.