Big M handle hits $4.5 million

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Rain and wind made for weather that was lousy, but betting was anything but Friday night (Mar. 3) at The Meadowlands, as a 2023 industry-high $4,519,050 was pushed through the windows on the 14-dash harness racing program.

Wagering was vigorous from the get-go and remained high-energy all night long as all harness eyes were on The Big M signal with Woodbine Mohawk Park having canceled due to inclement weather. A total of $339,469 was bet on the first race, with a 2023-high $100,913 poured into the 20-cent Pick-5 pot.

Nine times during the evening wagering went past the $300,000 mark on individual races, with the 50-cent Pick-4 dashes leading the way, as the sixth race took in $448,038, with $150,829 of that on the Early P4, a 2023 best, before $406,535 was wagered on the 10^th race, as the Late P4 saw $133,911 put in play.

Betting has now bettered the $3-million mark on all 16 Friday and Saturday night programs during 2023.

DOUBLE PICK-6 CARRYOVER: For a second straight time, there were no winning tickets sold on the 20-cent Pick-6, creating a double carryover of $45,254 for the next time the wager is offered, which will be Saturday night’s eighth race.

An estimated $150,000 in “new money” is expected, which would create a total pool of approximately $200,000.

For those who had five correct selections on Friday, the payout was $335.52.

Free past performances for not only the Pick-6, but for every race of every Meadowlands card are available by going to playmeadowlands.com.

FEATURE WINNER ‘IRRESISTIBLE’: So Irresistible (Always B Miki-Some Fancy Filly) won the $17,000 featured high-end conditioned pace for mares for driver Dave Miller and trainer Bruce Saunders in 1:52.3.

Miller had the 5-year-old in a third-over flow down the backside and flew home to score by a length over Kickupyaheels N. Mabalene N was third.

“When I moved her (off cover at the head of the stretch), she was full of pace,” said Miller, who led the driver colony with three winners on the night. “She kicked home really well.”

As the 7-5 favorite, So Irresistible returned $4.80 to her backers.

LADIES’ NIGHT: On Saturday, The Meadowlands will commemorate International Women’s Day with some special events.

Ashley Mailloux will join The Big M’s Jessica Otten on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set all night long providing analysis of the races as well as giving out Pick-4 tickets.

Otten will interview driver Lauren Tritton during the pregame show at 5:45 p.m. on the track’s “In the Sulky” segment, and, as if that weren’t enough, there will be a pair of races on the card – the second and the fourth – that will feature all female drivers.

A LITTLE MORE: Troy Beyer had a pair of winners at different ends of the payout spectrum. He scored with 56-1 shot Bean Shooter (paving the way for the P6 carryover) in the 11^th before connecting with 2-1 favorite Goes Down Smooth in the 12^th. … Yannick Gingras had a driving double to up his total for the year to 37, tops at The Big M. He’s won 22 races over the last eight race cards, winning at least twice on seven occasions. … Per Engblom schooled three to victory lane. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m.