Big M wants players to bet big in Hunter Myers tribute

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Since the tragic event that took the life of 27-year-old Hunter Myers in a race at The Meadows (Pa.) on March 19, it seems like just about everybody from every facet of the harness racing industry has pitched in to support Hunter’s fiancé, Chloe Fisher, and young son, Hayden Myers.

On Saturday (March 29) night, everyone who likes betting on Meadowlands races has a chance to help out as well. The fourth dash is the “Hunter Myers Memorial Race”, and all proceeds from the one-mile event will be donated to help Chloe and Hayden.

In addition, Big M Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Gural has pledged to match all monies raised.

“What an amazing young man, gone far too soon,” said Meadowlands Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir on his Facebook page. “This breaks my heart! Every time I saw Hunter it was ‘Hey boss or Mr. Settlemoir’. Last year at the Delaware County Fair, we settled on just calling me Jason.

“Hunter sure did love our sport and we sure did love Hunter. His energy, his passion, his smile, his genuine and spirited attitude towards life. He was a great young man and a talented young driver. Pray for his family and pray for our sport. This certainly hurts and puts everything in perspective. Fly high, young man, fly where only angels soar. My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. This is tragic.”

The race that honors the fallen driver who amassed 2,450 lifetime victories is one that should attract a lot of attention from bettors. It’s a TrackMaster 83.5 pace with a full field of 10 where half of the field shows at least one win in their last five starts.

“We urge our fans, whether they come to the track once a week or once a month or bet us on their favorite ADW (Advance Deposit Wagering) site to bet on the fourth race Saturday,” said Settlemoir. “Small bettors, big bettors, we urge them to get involved and be a part of helping Chloe and Hayden.”

QUALIFIER REPORT: In the first of six qualifiers that take place Saturday afternoon, trainer Marcus Melander sends out a pair of intriguing Swedish shippers.

Aetos Kronos S qualified third at The Big M a week ago. The 9-year-old son of Bold Eagle-Will Of A Woman, a lifetime earner of $1.3 million, raced in the $1-million Prix d’Amerique in January of 2024.

His stablemate, S I P, is a 6-year-old son of Bar Hopping-Barbara Brooks, who hasn’t raced since October of last year. Melander is likely hoping the potent pair will be able to race in the upper-echelon events for older trotters this year.

A horse well known by Meadowlands regulars will also be qualifying in the opener. The Ron Burke-trained Lexus Kody, the Big M track-record holder for an older gelding of 1:49.4, won eight of 20 starts a year ago and banked over $200,000.

In the second qualifier, Burke’s Cheers Hanover, who earned $108,250 a year ago, and Nifty Norman’s Yannick G Kemp, $85,870, will get their 3-year-old colt trotting seasons underway, while the fifth qualifier finds three lifetime earners of $500,000: Robert Cleary’s Soaring Now, Jeff Cullipher’s Sonny Weaver N and Shane Tritton’s Springsteen.

The qualifiers begin at 4 p.m., and can be seen live on The Meadowlands website (playmeadowlands.com) or rtn.tv (Racing Television Network). To see the entries, go here.

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, then click on the “news” dropdown to get the past performances at absolutely no cost.

THE SCHEDULE: During the months of March and April, live racing at The Big M will be conducted every Friday and Saturday with a first-race post-time of 6:20 p.m.

CATCH THE SHOW: Check out the live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pregame show at 5:45 p.m. every Friday and Saturday when track announcer Ken Warkentin opens up the mic with a scene set and program changes.

Warkentin will then throw to the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set, where The Big M’s Dave Little will be joined by the editor of DRF Harness, Derick Giwner, for both the Friday and Saturday broadcasts. 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 as well as providing commentary and selections on the FanDuel Television (FDTV) feed.

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).

A GRAND NIGHT: The fourth edition of the 2025 Meadowlands Monthly Handicapping contest takes place on Saturday, April 19. The event goes for prize money totaling $1,000.

For those interested in taking part, these are 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.

HOOPS HEAVEN: Look out for bracket-busting action during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, which is now down to 16 teams in the hunt for a national championship.

There’s no need to stay at home. Come to The Meadowlands and watch all of the action as you bet on the games in the FanDuel Sportsbook.

Check out the schedule below:

• Sweet 16: March 27-28
• Elite Eight: March 29-30
• Final Four: April 5
• NCAA championship game: April 7

For more information, and to purchase tickets for reserved seating for a great spot to watch the games, go here.

A NIGHT AT THE FIGHTS: Come out to the track for live harness racing and also catch UFC 314 later in the night on Saturday, April 12.

There are a pair of bouts in the spotlight that will be shown in The Gallery.

Alexander Volkanovski, who has a record of 26-4-0, will take on Diego Lopes, 26-6-0, in a matchup of featherweights before Michael Chandler, 23-9-0, faces Paddy Pimblett, 22-3-0, in a battle of lightweights.

The main portion of the card gets underway at 10 p.m.

The Gallery is a game-day ready destination for live sports, celebrity meet and greets and more. This private room features walls of TVs plus a central 220″ jumbo screen, as well as its own bar and self-service betting machines.

HAVE A GREAT STEAK: On Saturday, April 19, there will be an exquisite steak dinner offered in the Skyboxes at The Meadowlands.

The cost of just $100 per person includes a racing program and a $10 betting voucher.

Make your reservations early for what is certain to be a fantastic four-course meal.

To take a look at the menu, and to make reservations, go here.

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.

BET THE HOOPS IN FANDUEL: Meadowlands regulars know that if they want action on professional and college sports, all they have to do is head for the FanDuel Sportsbook, which is the No. 1 facility of its kind in all of North America.

It couldn’t be easier to access, as it’s located inside the grandstand at The Big M.

The book has massive TV screens and self-service betting terminals, so watch and wager in comfort while having some great food and drink.

Over a four-day span beginning tonight (Thursday, March 27) the field of 16 will be reduced to four in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament by the end of play Sunday (March 30).

There are two matchups on Thursday – Duke vs. Arizona and BYU vs. Alabama – taking place in New Jersey, so they cannot be offered by FanDuel.

But there are six other games that will create plenty of interest at the windows.

On Thursday, Florida is a 6½-point favorite over Maryland in a 7:39 p.m. tip-off while Texas Tech is 5½ over Arkansas in a 10:09 p.m. start.

Friday’s action begins at 7:09 p.m. when Michigan State is a 3½-point favorite over Ole Miss before Tennessee takes on Kentucky at 7:39 p.m. Tennessee is a 4½-point favorite.

The second-to-last game of the day has overall top-seed Auburn, a 9½-point favorite, taking on Michigan at 9:39 p.m. before the Sweet Sixteen concludes with Houston, an 8½-point favorite, facing Perdue at 10:09 p.m.

Whatever the sport, for the latest odds, click 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.

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

by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands