Big M cancellation was about safety first

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – With a forecast that called for a snowfall of four inches or more, accompanied by ice expected to make for treacherous driving, Meadowlands management made the decision to cancel racing last Saturday (Feb. 8) at approximately 9 a.m.

With a solid betting card that no doubt would have produced big business, it was a tough call to make.

Cynical fans might have questioned the decision, since there wasn’t a single flake of snow until approximately an hour (7:30 p.m. or so) after the 14-race program would have started, about 10 hours after the cancellation was announced. But then the weather forecasters picked their own winner, as snow and ice blanketed not only the Bergen County area, but points north and south as well.

The cancellation was all about safety.

“It’s true that getting to the track would have been no problem for our customers and horsemen,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “But we were concerned about what might have happened at the end of the night.

“Out of concern for our equine athletes and the people who are responsible to get them to the track and ready to race, we concluded it was best to cancel. We knew leaving the track after the races were over would not be safe, and the weather forecasters were correct, enabling us to make the right call. We did not want big horse trailers traveling over snow- and ice-covered highways. There’s always a chance a storm will blow in one direction or another, but risking the safety of our horsemen is not one we are willing to take.”

For locals who could take a look at the roads before making a decision, the track and its off-track betting facility, Winners Bayonne, stayed open for simulcasting.

In the event there is bad weather on a live race night, always check The Big M’s website, playmeadowlands.com, for updates.

A TROTTING HAT TRICK? Antognoni S has been hot stuff since his arrival from Sweden in mid-January, and the Ron Burke trainee, who has won both of his parimutuel starts in the U.S., will leave from post eight in the Saturday (Feb. 15) night feature, a $22,000 high-end conditioned event for trotters.

Dave Miller will drive the 5-year-old gelded son of Father Patrick-Bouncing Bax, who is the 9-5 morning-line favorite. Antognoni S has been nothing short of dominant in his two American betting outings, winning by 4 lengths as the 1-5 favorite in 1:52.4 on Jan. 25 before a 5½-length romp in 1:53.2 as the 1-9 public choice on Feb. 1.

SURVIVOR STANDS ALONE: A single 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 player scooped the pot Friday (Feb. 7) after being sharp enough to include 15-1 winner Rock My Universe in the eighth race. That lone ticket paid $6,699.52 for six correct selections.

The Survivor wager, which has a mandatory payout every time it’s offered, is available nightly on races three through nine.

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 race nights, check out the live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pregame show at 5:45 p.m. when track announcer Ken Warkentin opens up the mic with a scene set and program changes.

This weekend, Dave Little will be joined by Standardbred Canada’s John Rallis on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set from where the duo will provide 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 (FDTV) feed.

THIS GUY IS NO AMATEUR: In addition, catch Little and his guest, Yogi Sheridan, the 2024 Dan Patch Amateur Driver of the Year, on the next installment of “In the Sulky.” It takes place Friday 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 Jessica Otten (@JessicaOtten1), Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).

SHARPEN YOUR PENCILS: The second edition of the 2025 Meadowlands Monthly Handicapping Contest takes place on Friday (Feb. 14).

The details:

• There is a $1,000 prize pool and the top two finishers earn entry into a December invitation-only tournament that will go for $10,000 in prize money.
• Contestants must be on-site to participate.
• For complete information, and to enter, go here.

BRING YOUR SWEETHEART TO THE TRACK: Come on out to the track during Valentine’s Day Weekend (Feb. 14-15), and bring your sweetheart with you so you both can enjoy a Valentine’s Buffet in The Big M’s Pink Restaurant.

The buffet costs just $59.95 per person, but if you upgrade and pay an additional $25 each, you get so much more.

Like what, you say? A sumptuous dinner, which includes one glass of champagne and two glasses of wine. You also get a $5 betting voucher, a live racing program and a rose for every lady.

To take a look at the menu, go here.

For reservations, call 201-THE-BIGM.

OH YES, IT’S LADIES’ NIGHT: The Big M will celebrate women in racing on Saturday, March 8, as the track hosts International Women’s Day, sponsored by Clinton Tractor.

Jessica Otten and The Red Mile’s Emily Gaskin will host the night’s live simulcast broadcast while back paddock interviews will be conducted by Scioto Downs’ Jenna Otten.

The night will include videos and interviews with the industry’s top female trainers, drivers and grooms, plus a race with an all-female field.

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.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME: Well, maybe not just yet, but now that the football season is over, it’s time for baseball fans to get fired up for the huge expectations that await the New York Yankees and New York Mets, whose pitchers and catchers had their first official Spring Training workouts on Wednesday (Feb. 12).

A season ago, the Yankees made it to the World Series, while the Mets played in the National League Championship Series.

The regular season doesn’t begin until late March, but there are plenty of props for the upcoming season available now in the FanDuel Sportsbook, which is the No. 1 facility of its kind in all of North America.

• Odds to win the World Series: Yankees +750; Mets +1100 (the Los Angeles Dodgers are the favorite at +250)
• Odds to win the American League pennant: Yankees +300 (the favorite)
• Odds to win the National League pennant: Mets +650 (Dodgers +140)
• Yankees over/under wins: over 93½ (-104); under 93½ (-114)
• Mets over/under wins: over 92½ (-106); under 92½ (-114)
• Regular season home run leader: Aaron Judge +270, Shohei Ohtani +500, Kyle Schwarber +1000, Yordan Alvarez +1500, Fernando Tatis Jr. +1500, Pete Alonso +2000

The book has massive TV screens and self-service betting terminals, and Meadowlands regulars know all they have to do is head for the grandstand at the mile oval to get in the sports betting game.

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.

by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands