Big M returns with the Breeders Crown

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – You’d think after a five-week slumber, during which harness racing at The Meadowlands was in hibernation mode, the mile oval would come back and ease their way towards the final portion of the 2024 major-stakes calendar.

Think again.

The Big M returns with live harness action Friday (Oct. 18), with a special early post time of 12:30 p.m., and Saturday (Oct. 19), at the usual 6:20 p.m., with eliminations for the 12-race, year-end extravaganza known as the Breeders Crown. It’s the first time the Crown has been at The Meadowlands since 2021. Friday’s races will determine who will advance to the finals in the 2-year-old events while Saturday’s dashes will decide who will go for the big green in the 3-year-old and older races.

For those who can’t make it to the track, they can catch all of the action on Fox Sports as part of the network’s “America’s Day at the Races” show.

Friday’s telecast, which will be hosted by Acacia Clement and Greg Wolf and co-hosted by Paul Verderosa, can be seen on Fox Sports 2 (FS2) from 12:30-5:30 p.m. On Saturday, FS2’s coverage will go from 7:30-11 p.m. with Chris Griffin and Verderosa on set from Aqueduct Racetrack.

The first of two Breeders Crown finals shows will be telecast on Friday, Oct. 25 on FS1 from 8-11 p.m., while the Saturday, Oct. 26 broadcast can be seen on FS2 from 7:30-11 p.m. Clement and Verderosa will anchor both shows from The Meadowlands.

All four presentations will feature selections, analysis and interviews from Meadowlands’ TV talent Jessica Otten and Gabe Prewitt.

“Fox Sports and NYRA (New York Racing Association) are very excited to partner with The Meadowlands and the Hambletonian Society to present 15 hours of Breeders Crown coverage between FS1 and FS2,” said NYRA’s Sr. Director of TV Broadcast Operations Eric Donovan. “We look forward to showcasing all the top horses, drivers, owners, trainers and breeders in Standardbred racing at this championship event.”

Friday will provide something special for on-track Big M regulars, as after the completion of the harness races, a card of Thoroughbred turf racing will take place with a first-race post time of 7 p.m.

Only two of the 12 Crown divisions require no eliminations, as the Breeders Crown Open Trot (11 entrants) and Breeders Crown Mare Trot (nine) will have one dash for the cash.

The Crown finals for 2-year-olds take place on Friday, Oct. 25, with the 3-year-olds and older horses to battle in their respective finals on Saturday, Oct. 26. Post time for both race cards is 6:20 p.m.

“We are looking forward to welcoming back our faithful fans and our horsemen,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “And what better way to do it than with a rare Friday Breeders Crown afternoon program to kick off The Meadowlands’ Championship Fall Meeting broadcast live on FOX.

“Having these races shown to a national television audience is remarkably important to us at The Meadowlands as well as everybody at the Hambletonian Society. With a continuing presence coast-to-coast, we are raising our visibility to new heights while getting an audience that has been mainly focused on Thoroughbred racing interested in our game as well.”

“The Meadowlands has been home to the ultimate in championship racing since the doors opened in 1976,” said Hambletonian Society President and Chief Executive Officer John Campbell. The Society owns and administers the Breeders Crown.

“We are delighted to continue the Society’s long-term relationship with Meadowlands management by partnering in hosting the top-class events in the sport.”

The Breeders Crown will feature the four $700,000 finals for 2-year-olds, the richest events offered in the division, while the eight 3-year-old and open races will have purses ranging from $400,000-$700,000. Total purses are estimated at $7 million.

“The next seven weeks at The Big M will undoubtedly go a long way toward determining who will be harness racing’s Horse of The Year, along, of course, with divisional honors,” said Settlemoir. “Beginning with the Breeders Crown and culminating with the FanDuel Championships and Fall Final Four on Nov. 30, you will see the greatest stars in the world right here.”

TREMENDOUS TOP 10: Here is the current Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown weekly Top 10 Poll. As you can see, many of the sport’s top starts will be craving a crown.

1. Twin B Joe Fresh (race 11 Saturday)
2. Jiggy Jog S (retired)
3. Chantilly (ineligible)
4. Captain Albano (race three Saturday)
5. Karl (race nine Saturday)
6. Nijinsky (race six Saturday)
7. Maryland (Peter Haughton winner earned a Breeders Crown final bye)
8. Sig Sauer (race two Saturday)
9. Legendary Hanover (eligible, did not enter)
10. Fallout (race 10 Friday)

THAT’S A GUARANTEE: The wagering menu for the Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands will undoubtedly fire up the mile oval’s loyal fan betting base, as there will be $400,000 in guaranteed pools up for grabs.

On Saturday (Oct. 19), there will be a guaranteed pool of $50,000 on both the Early 50-cent Pick-4 (races six through nine) and Late 50-cent Pick-4 (10 through 13).

Then, on both Friday, Oct. 25, and Saturday, Oct. 26, the Early Pick-4 is guaranteed at $100,000 while the Late P4 will be at least $50,000.

Here is a look at what bettors can expect night in and night out when playing Meadowlands’ races for the foreseeable future:

• 20-cent Pick-5: Race 1-5
• 20-cent Survivor Pick-7: Races 3-9
• 50-cent Pick-4: Races 6-9
• 20-cent Pick-6: Races 8-13
• 50-cent Pick 4: Races 10-13
• 10-cent Pentafecta (Hi-5): Race 14 (or final race)

The Meadowlands has added two superfectas to each card. There will now be 10 superfecta opportunities on 14-race programs. The minimum wager is a dime.

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 Jessica Otten (@JessicaOtten1), Dave 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.”

BREEDERS CROWN DINING: Time is running short to get your dining reservations for the Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands.

Friday’s $49.95 (plus tax and gratuity) lunch buffet includes pulled pork sandwiches, sausage and peppers, cheesesteak egg rolls and chili with sweet jalapeno-honey butter cornbread.

Keep in mind, Friday’s card has a special early post time of 12:30 p.m.

Saturday’s $49.95 (plus tax and gratuity) dinner buffet features Swedish meatballs, hand-carved roast beef, lemon-herb salmon and ginger soy chicken.

Pink Restaurant’s buffet on finals night, Friday, Oct. 25, features shrimp cocktail, gouda-stuffed arancini and grilled Caesar salad.  Guests can also dine on a chili-rubbed NY strip, baked Mahi Mahi with a lemon dill sauce and moist carrot cake. Friday’s menu is $74.95 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Saturday’s (Oct. 26) buffet is $79.95 plus tax and gratuity and is highlighted by a seafood tower filled with shrimp, clams, oysters and crab legs. Other menu features include lobster bisque, roasted ribeye and sweet-and-sour chicken.

Reservations can be made by calling 201-The-BIGM (201-843-2446). All reservations must be prepaid.

Guests looking for ala carte dining can head to the second-floor Lounge, which is the place to be to watch and wager all the racing and the day’s sports action. Guests can dine on delicious Victory Sports Bar fare, which includes wings, burgers, lobster mac and cheese, salads, wraps and more. The purchase price is a food credit that will be applied to the food and beverage bill. Tax and gratuity are not included in this credit and are additional.

Available Seating/Dining Options for purchase include:

Grandstand Bar Seat: $50 per seat

Grandstand Lounge Table:  $100 per two-person table; $200 for a four-person table.

Grandstand Lounge Couch: $200 per two-person section, complete with couch.

Tables are now available for purchase at this link.

BCCC INFLUENCER CONTEST: Team influencers will compete in a weekend-long handicapping contest on Oct. 18-19.

The contest will span two live race nights, and the influencer who amasses the most money will earn the most points for their team

For more information on the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge, go here.

KISS THE WORLD SERIES RINGS! On Friday (Oct. 18), come to the track and meet New York Yankees World Series legend Jim Leyritz, who is the special guest for a special Q&A that will be moderated by New York Times bestselling author Todd Ehrlich.

Bring your questions about Leyritz’s memorable career – he’s a three-time World Series champion – as well as the current Yankees and more.

Details:

• When: 7-8:30 p.m.
• Where: Second-floor Lounge
• Seating: First come, first served
• Food and beverage: Available for purchase
• Drawings: For Leyritz autographed baseballs and autographed copies of Ehrlich’s 20 Greatest Moments in New York Sports History: Our Generation of Memories, From 1960 to Today

POWERHOUSE PROMOTIONS: This year’s Breeders Crown finals take place Oct. 25 and 26 at The Meadowlands. Both nights feature special promotions and events to complement the great racing action.

Friday’s promotions include:

• $1,200 Halloween Costume Contest (Sign up from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse Lobby with judging in the Winner’s Circle following Race 4. First Prize: $500; 2nd place: $250; 3rd place: $100; 4th place: $50. Bonus categories: $100 for Scariest; $100 for funniest; $100 for best horse-themed costume)
• Tote Machine Payout (Guests who use any self-service tote machine between 6:15 and 11 p.m. are eligible to win. Voucher values from $2-$500. Voucher prizes based on the overall number of wagers made in the entire facility on self-service machines. Must be present at The Meadowlands to participate.)

Saturday’s promotions:

• $1,200 Breeders Crown Hat Contest (Sign up from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse Lobby with judging in the Winner’s Circle following Race 4. First Prize: $500; 2nd place: $250; 3rd place: $100; 4th place: $50. Bonus categories: $100 for Scariest; $100 for funniest; $100 for best horse-themed costume)
• $10,000 Handicapping Contest ($100 betting card purchase required at contest check-in. Entry includes a live racing program. Format: Contestants must bet a minimum of five Meadowlands races. No minimum and no maximum bet per race. Open to any wager on the Meadowlands live wagering menu. This includes W/P/S, Exacta, Trifecta, Pick 3/4/5/6, Daily Double and Superfecta wagers. Contestants keep all pari-mutuel winnings. Unlimited entries allowed per person. Payouts: 1st – $2,500; 2nd – $2,000; 3rd – $1,250; 4th – $1,000; 5th – $750; 6^th-10th – $500)

YOU WANT FABULOUS? HEAD TO FANDUEL: The Breeders Crown will be the latest addition to a thriving New York sports scene.

This past spring the New York Knicks basketball team and New York Rangers hockey club brought enormous excitement to The Meadowlands’ FanDuel Sportsbook every night with their respective deep runs in the NBA and NHL playoffs.

Currently, the New York Yankees and New York Mets are both still alive in the hunt for a World Series title, and the potential for the first Subway Series since 2000 has the entire metropolitan area sports fan base in a frenzy.

The FanDuel Sportsbook, the No. 1 facility of its type in North America, is located inside the grandstand at The Big M, where fans can get their baseball action.

On Thursday (Oct. 17), both the Yankees and Mets will be in action.

The Yankees will be in Cleveland for Game 3 of the American League Championship Series with the Guardians. The Yankees, who lead the best-of-seven series two games to none, are the -120 favorite in the game that has an under/over of 7½ runs. First pitch is at 5:08 p.m.

At 8:08 p.m., the Mets will host the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLCS. The game is critical for the Amazin’s, who trail the best-of-seven two games to one. FanDuel’s oddsmakers have the Dodgers as the -136 favorite in the game that has an under/over of 7 runs.

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.

For complete Friday race entries, click here: US Trotting entries.

For complete Saturday race entries, click here: US Trotting entries.

by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands