Big championship prep Saturday at Big M

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – It would be hard to find a stronger field of harness racing horses anywhere to rival those that will get in behind the gate Saturday (Nov. 16) night at The Meadowlands in the featured $40,000 Preferred Handicap for trotters, in which, several of the competitors will be prepping for the Nov. 30 FanDuel Championships Open Trot.

Of the seven horses in the field, five have lifetime bank accounts that are in excess of $1 million, topped by the leading horse in the older trotting division this season – and current eighth-ranked horse in the weekly Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown Standardbred Poll – Winner’s Bet, who will start out at 2-1 on the morning-line from post four in the 10^th race.

The Nancy Takter trainee is in the midst of a stakes streak having taken the Hill Memorial, Caesars and Breeders Crown in his last three starts. Dexter Dunn, who guided six Breeders Crown winners three weeks ago at The Big M to give him the inside track on a fifth Dan Patch Driver of the Year Award in the last six years, will be in the sulky. He currently sits atop the North American money-earnings drivers’ list with $15.6 million.

Periculum (5-2) is the leading money-winning horse in the older male trotting divisions this year, having hit the board in 12 of 15 seasonal starts, with his big victory coming in the Maple Leaf Trot. The Marcus Melander student, who will leave from post seven, will be driven by defending Dan Patch Driver of the Year Scott Zeron.

Steele Memorial winner M-M’s Dream, off a third-place finish in the Breeders Crown Mare Trot, will start out at 5-1 from post one for driver Dave Miller and trainer Ron Burke. Oh Well (6-1, post five, Todd McCarthy, Melander), the 2022 Mohawk Million champion, and Hillexotic (8-1, post six, Yannick Gingras, Todd Luther), the 2023 Dayton Derby winner, round out the field’s quintet of seven-figure standouts.

ONE MORE HUGE NIGHT: The Meadowlands is known for its big-event programs, and with the Breeders Crown added to the mix this year, The Big M has already played host to Meadowlands Pace Night, Hambletonian Day and the Crown.

The last of the “Fab 2024” takes place on Saturday, Nov. 30, on Fall Final Four/FanDuel Championships Night.

Here are the eight major events that will take place that evening (with estimated purses that total $2.65 million):

• $400,000 Governor’s Cup (2YOC&GP)
• $400,000 Three Diamonds (2YOFP)
• $400,000 Valley Victory (2YOC&GT)
• $400,000 Goldsmith Maid (2YOFT)
• $350,000 FanDuel Open Pace
• $350,000 FanDuel Open Trot
• $175,000 FanDuel Open Mare Pace
• $175,000 FanDuel Open Mare Trot

Dexter Dunn is the heavy favorite for Driver of the Year. But who is going to be the Trainer of the Year? It’s wide open, which makes Nov. 30 even more compelling as a big day by a number of trainers could make their case to take home the TOTY hardware.

Similarly, Twin B Joe Fresh, who, by the way, is in the fourth qualifier Saturday afternoon at The Meadowlands, presumably to get ready to defend her FanDuel Open Mare Pace title, seems to have locked up Horse of the Year honors, but many of the other divisional honors in the sport could be decided on the final night of November.

WIN BIG: Enter for a chance to score a $500 win wager on each of the eight major events taking place on FF4/FDC night.

BIG FIELDS, BIG OPPORTUNITIES: There are many reasons that The Meadowlands is the destination for horseplayers around the world every weekend. The extra attention to the players is why The Big M has been the No. 1 track in Standardbred racing for almost half a century.

This weekend, the mile oval will offer players 130 betting interests on Friday and 129 more on Saturday, for an average field size of 9.25 starters per race.

The Meadowlands is known for big fields. With 10 horses on the gate and a mile track, the chance exists for players of all bankroll sizes to make big scores.

Big-track excitement. Big fields. Big pools. Low takeouts. Low minimums. Add it all up and the chance for large payoffs are there.

THINK BIG, TAKEOUT SMALL: Here is a look at what bettors can expect night in and night out when playing the popular multi-leg wagers The Meadowlands offers for the foreseeable future. These wagers sport a low 15 percent takeout:

• 20-cent Pick-5: Race 1-5
• 20-cent Survivor Pick-7: Races 3-9
• 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

BIG PAYDAYS: Those with winning tickets Friday (Nov. 8) in the 20-cent Pick-5 were smiling all the way to the windows as they collected $1,106.70 despite a sequence that saw two winning favorites and just one winner that went off at odds of over 9-2.

Later that night, there was just one shrewd player that took down the 20-cent Survivor Pick-7. With a ticket that only needed the first four winners, that payoff was a handsome $4,202.78.

Flying Tiger didn’t shock players when he won the 14^th race as the 4-5 favorite, but did top an eyebrow-raising payout in the 10-cent Hi-5 of $6,526.99. The odds of the horses finishing second through fifth were 29-1, 12-1, 41-1 and 23-1, respectively.

On Saturday, the Pick-5 returned $1,205.88 as a 28-1 shot in the first was followed by four winners who went off at 5-2 or less.

Fifty-cent Pick-4 bettors got both ends of the payout spectrum, as the Early edition of the wager returned a measly $3.65, while the Late P4 was a totally different kettle of fish, returning $1,902.50.

2-YEAR-OLDS ON PARADE: In addition to the dash with the five millionaires, there will also be three divisions of the New Jersey Garden State for trotters and two divisions of the Home Grown for pacers on Saturday’s card. Purses for the five dashes for 2-year-olds total $258,000. Two of the races will be non-wagering events and take place before the betting card. Post time is 5 p.m.

TWO NIGHTS AT THE FIGHTS: If you like hand-to-hand combat involving some of the greatest to ever get inside the ring, then come to The Meadowlands on both Friday and Saturday this weekend to catch two huge watch parties in The Gallery.

Friday is boxing night, as former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson, 58, will take on 27-year-old Jake Paul, an American YouTuber, actor and professional boxer. The main event takes place at 10 p.m.

Paul is the -205 favorite to take down Tyson (+168).

Saturday’s bout is part of UFC 309 as the main event will get underway at 10 p.m. The big fight of the night pits heavyweight champion Jon Jones against former title holder Stipe Miocic.

Jones, who is a heavy -670 favorite to come away with the victory, is considered UFC’s greatest heavyweight in history while Miocic (+430) is recognized as the best light heavyweight.

For complete information, click here.

GIVE TO A GREAT CAUSE: It’s time for the annual Toys for Tots drive at The Meadowlands.

Beginning Friday, Nov. 29, all are welcome to donate new, unwrapped toys for kids in need every day until Friday, Dec. 13, when the United States Marines Toys for Tots reception takes place.

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

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 three 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.

The music begins at 7 p.m., and for complete information and to buy tickets, click here.

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: Racing continues at The Meadowlands every Friday and Saturday. 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.

Catch The Big M’s “A”-team of Jessica Otten and Dave Little all weekend long. Joining the team, providing interviews from the back paddock, will be Jenna Otten, the handicapper and analyst from Ohio’s Scioto Downs.

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). Another way to view the action is to go to the Roberts Television Network (rtn.tv) site.

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.

“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 Otten (@JessicaOtten1), 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.

On Thursday (Nov. 14) night, the Washington Commanders head to Philadelphia for an 8:15 p.m. matchup with the Eagles.

The Eagles are a 3½-point favorite in the game that has an under/over of 49½ points.

On Sunday (Nov. 17) at 1 p.m., the New York Jets will host the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium. The Jets are a 3½-point favorite in the game that has an under/over of 43½.

The New York Giants are on their bye week.

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.

From The Meadowlands