Big stars to compete Saturday at Big M

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – A four-pack of stakes with purses totaling over $500,000 plus the first appearance on the same race card of the two horses who make up harness racing’s most intriguing matchup of the year will be presented at The Meadowlands Saturday night (June 29).

Live racing takes place this Friday and Saturday, with 14-race programs that get underway at 6:20 p.m.

The Big M’s Championship Meet continues to roll closer to the Meadowlands Pace (July 13) and Hambletonian (Aug. 3) with some of the game’s biggest stars going at it in the Perfect Sting, Dave Brower Memorial, Crawford Farms and Six Pack.

In addition, the dynamic duo of the 3-year-old colt and gelding trotting division – Karl and T C I – will race in separate splits of the W.N. Reynolds Memorial Scott Frost division.

The Perfect Sting (for open mare pacers) features Twin B Joe Fresh (4-5 on the morning-line), the Roses Are Red winner, against Sylvia Hanover (5-2), the 2023 Dan Patch 3-Year-Old Pacing Filly of the Year.

Ruthless Hanover (5-2) is looking to defend his title in the Brower, the race named for the longtime Big M lead TV host and oddsmaker. In his two starts this year, Ruthless has lived up to his name, recording winning times of 1:47.1 (on May 19) and 1:47.2 (May 26) in his outings at Harrah’s Philadelphia. The clocking’s are the fastest two this year in the sport.

The Crawford Farms pits Maxie Lee winner Venerate (2-1) against It’s Academic (3-1), a lifetime earner of over $2.3 million. The Six Pack features three current stars in Cutler winner Jiggy Jog S (6-5), Armbro Flight champion Call Me Goo (7-2) and 2023 Hambletonian Maturity winner M-M’s Dream (5-2).

The first of the two Scott Frost splits (race six) features Karl (1-5), the Nancy Takter trainee who’s won 12 of 13 lifetime starts, and, on the strength of win over T C I in the Breeders Crown, walked away with the Dan Patch 2-Year-Old Male Trotter hardware a year ago.

T C I (4-5), 12-for-14 lifetime and the leading money-earner in the division a year ago with over $1.2 million, tops the second Scott Frost dash (race nine) for trainer Ron Burke.

There is no shortage of great storylines with the pair, as Yannick Gingras, Karl’s driver, is in search of his first Hambletonian win, while Burke, the all-time leading trainer in the history of the game, is also seeking his first grab at the Hambo brass ring.

In addition, the duo has met twice, and each has one win.

Finally, while many fans are hoping for a dream Hambletonian Day matchup, it’s possible Karl and T C I will meet for Round 3 on Meadowlands Pace Night in the $250,000 Stanley Dancer.

“Saturday’s program lights the candle for what should be an incredible stakes season,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “And with the Breeders Crown returning to The Meadowlands (eliminations on Oct. 18 and 19; finals on Oct. 25 and 26), you can expect a constant flow of the sport’s greatest stars to be competing here for year-end honors throughout the 2024 racing season.”

In addition to the Pace, Hambletonian and Breeders Crown, The Big M will also play host to Fall Final Four/FanDuel Championships Night (on Nov. 30).

BIG M IN NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT: There is a lot of great Meadowlands action that will be shown this year on the networks of FOX Sports. The Big M will be a part of “America’s Day at The Races” throughout the year, starting next week with the eliminations for the Meadowlands Pace.

Here is the tentative schedule for The Big M broadcasts with the marquee event that will be shown. Where not listed, specific networks – FOX, FS1 or FS2 – will be determined:

• July 6: Graduate finals/Meadowlands Pace eliminations, 8-11 p.m. (FS2)
• July 13: Meadowlands Pace final, 8-11 p.m. (FS2)
• August 3: Hambletonian, 4:30-5 p.m. (FOX)
• October 18: Breeders Crown eliminations, 1-6 p.m. (TBD)
• October 19: Breeders Crown eliminations, 8-11 p.m. (TBD)
• October 25: Breeders Crown finals, 8-11 p.m. (TBD)
• October 26: Breeders Crown finals, 8-11 p.m. (TBD)

PLENTIFUL PAYOUTS: It was another weekend of big payouts at The Meadowlands last week (June 21-22), as low minimums, low takeouts and big pools gave everyone a chance to make a big score.

Friday’s fabulous windfalls came in the Late 20-cent Pick-5 ($26,480), Early 50-cent Pick-4 ($15,254) and 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 ($6,794).

Saturday’s super scores were collected at the conclusion of the 20-cent Pick-6 ($31,337), Survivor ($8,008) and Late P5 ($7,913).

Some of Saturday’s highlighted total pools were the 20-cent Pick-5 ($81,234), Early Pick-4 ($93,063) and Late P4 ($79,882).

The 11^th race 10-cent Hi-5 (or Pentafecta, if you prefer) saw a carryover of $15,253 lead to a total pool of just over $74,000. Those with tickets with the correct combination of 1-5-7-8-6 walked away with $1,837.83.

BYRNE BRAWL: Join The Meadowlands and ISPW on Saturday (June 29) for the first-ever Brendan Byrne Brawl.

This live pro wrestling event features seven action-packed matches.

The family friendly outing begins at 7 p.m., and matches will include Crowbar vs. ISPW Champion Rey Calitri as well as Big Vito vs. Rick Recon.

Matches will take place in between the live races, with general admission tickets priced at $20 and VIP tickets to be sold for $100. VIP tickets include admission for four with seats at a picnic table next to the ring.

For more information, and to buy tickets, go here.

BABY, YOU’RE A FIREWORK: Head to the track on Saturday, July 6, for Fan Appreciation Night, when the Cafe, Rooftop Terrace and Backyard will offer low-priced concession items. Available for $1 will be hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn and soda (limit five of each item per transaction). Available for $2 will be Bud and Bud Light drafts (for those 21 years of age and older).

Discount prices are available from 6-11 p.m., and after the races, fireworks will light up the sky for all on-track patrons to enjoy.

MEADOWLANDS PACE NIGHT: Come and be a part of the “Biggest Party in Harness Racing”, as Meadowlands Pace Night takes place on Saturday, July 13.

The track’s signature event features the following festivities:

• “Pace Be With You” T-Shirt Giveaway – Begins 5 p.m. for the first 5,000 guests
• DJ in the Backyard – DJ ALX
• Carnival rides and games – including mechanical shark, toxic moonwalk, 3-in-1 sports game, toxic obstacle course, axe throwing and two carnival games
• Win free $500 Win Bets – Five winners will have a chance to place a $500 win bet on a designated race. Entry in the live racing program
• Meadowlands Burger Battle
• Food Trucks
• Dining
• You can guarantee a spot to dine and watch all of the races in The Lounge, which is the center of the action with front-row seats to Victory’s giant screens. There are two- and four-top tables and bar seats available. Ticket purchase acts as food and beverage credit for Victory Sports Bar menu

For complete information, and to make reservations, go here

THE SKED: Live racing takes place every Friday and Saturday at The Meadowlands with a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m.

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

Racing will take place every Friday and Saturday through Aug. 3. Post time is always 6:20 p.m. with the exception of Aug. 3, Hambletonian Day, when post time is noon.

FREE PROGRAMS EVERY NIGHT: Past performances for every race of every Meadowlands card are available free of charge. All one has to do is click here to access the information.

“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’ appetizing betting menu is now a little tastier with the addition of a second 20-cent Pick-5, joining the pair of 50-cent Pick-4s already on the bill of fare.

There are eight wagers nightly that offer a chance for players to make a big hit while betting into big pools that offer a low takeout of just 15 percent. Here is the lineup:

• Races 1-5: Early 20-cent Pick-5
• Races 2-8: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 (mandatory payout nightly)
• Races 4-9: 20-cent Pick-6
• Races 6-9: Early 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
• Race 7: 10-cent Pentafecta (Hi-5)
• Races 8-12: Late 20-cent Pick-5
• Races 10-13: Late 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
• Race 11: 10-cent Pentafecta (Hi-5)

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

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

BRING THE KIDS, WIN A CAR: When you come to The Meadowlands, you can make a score at the windows. But now, you could also walk away with a brand new 2024 Toyota Camry LE AWD by participating in the track’s HorsePlay Giveaway, which takes place every race day until Friday, Aug. 2.

The HorsePlay Giveaway is sponsored by Purple Haze Stables.

The contest has patrons throwing little plastic horses into the car that will be given away for a chance to win it. Of those horses that end up on the track, the kids can get involved. Children who help out picking up the plastic horses off the track will receive a free ice cream at the Café.

For complete information, and to enter this extremely popular promotion, go here.

From The Meadowlands