Big payouts at Big M last week

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The Meadowlands is historically known as a track where favorites can be vulnerable, the result of its mile circumference, competitive fast-paced harness racing and big 10-horse fields, but lately, even those who love it when bombs drop near the Jersey swamp must be a little surprised at how prolific these horses have been of late.

The last three race cards at The Big M (Jan. 18, Jan. 24 and Jan. 25) have seen a big handful of eye-popping results.

The laundry list of horses paying $50 or more over that span:

Saturday, Jan. 18:

• Race 1, Captain Marvel, 36-1 odds, paying $74.60 to win
• Race 6, Genius Man, 74-1, $150.60
• Race 11, Lava Field, 46-1, $95.60
• In addition, 82-1 shot Spirit Of Truth won race two, but returned $42.60 after being part of the first triple dead heat in track history

Friday, Jan. 24:

• Race 1, Heartlandbanysbro, 76-1, $154.40
• Race 2, Rockinwiththebest, 27-1, $57.40 (Daily Double paid $4,637.40)
• Race 5, Second Bruiser, 44-1, $90.20
• Race 7, Corsini A, 55-1, $112.80

Saturday, Jan. 25:

• Race 9, Sling Shock, 72-1, $146.40
• Race 12, Spirit Of Truth, 56-1, $115.40

That 42-race span saw nine winners pay over $50 (21 percent) and five that returned over $100 (12 percent). Ironically, chalk players weren’t left out in the cold, as favorites still managed to win 18 times, a track-typical 43 percent.

Over the span, the average win price was a hefty $31.83.

“We tend to have our share of big-priced winners,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “It’s not very often we go through a streak like this, but when we do, it creates a lot of excitement for our fan base. And on Friday, the longshot winners created a big carryover. Something our fans always go for in a big way.”

Friday’s fireworks festival led to a carryover of $28,744, which motivated bettors to pour an astonishing $183,943 of “new money” into the 20-cent Pick-5 pool for a grand total of $212,687.

Unlike the Friday night sequence that created the carryover, winner’s odds Saturday were a more reasonable 6-1, 17-1, 3-2, 13-1 and 1-5. There were 66 winning tickets exchanged for $2,787.26 after the Ron Burke-trained, Yannick Gingras-driven Antognoni S scored as the heavy public choice in the payoff leg (race five), ending what turned out to be a de facto Pick-4 for those who singled the 1-5 public choice.

PICK-6 CARRYOVER: One ends, another begins.

There were no winning tickets sold on the 20-cent Pick-6 last Saturday, creating a carryover of $5,153 for when racing resumes Friday. The Pick-6 is offered on races eight through 13.

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 months of January and 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 live 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 before the team of Jessica Otten and Dave Little take over from the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set with news, notes, selections and a look at the night’s featured races.

There is a new face joining the Big M TV team, as Joe Romanelli will handle interviews from the back paddock beginning Friday night. Recently, Romanelli, 25, served as the track announcer at Freehold Raceway and brings an energetic love of the sport as he embarks on his new position.

Before the start of the program, Romanelli will be introduced to the simulcast viewers in an interview with Dave Little on set 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 Otten (@JessicaOtten1), Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).

CHILI COOK-OFF: One of The Meadowlands’ more popular promotions is the Chili Cook-Off, and the winter edition of the tasty treat takes place on Saturday (Feb. 1).

There will be prizes for Homestyle Chili, Red Chili, People’s Choice Chili, Best Booth and Salsa.

If you are a cook, come on out and see how your skills in the kitchen stack up against everybody else’s in the contest. Not a cook? Come and get yourself some free samples all night long.

For complete information, and how to enter, go here.

UFC PARTY: The best place to watch UFC 312 is in The Gallery at The Meadowlands, and there is another great matchup taking place on Saturday, Feb. 8, when Sean Strickland takes on Dricus du Plessis in a middleweight championship rematch.

There are plenty of TVs, a variety of seating and a full-service bar available for patrons who want to check out the fights, which can be wagered on in the sportsbook before heading up to watch the fisticuffs.

The main card gets underway at 10 p.m.

ONE WEEK TO THE BIG GAME: You don’t need to be a football fan to be fired up for Sunday, Feb. 9, as it seems just about everybody watches the championship game of professional football.

Fans can watch and wager on the game in the FanDuel Sportsbook, which is located inside the grandstand at The Meadowlands. The venue features numerous large HD TVs throughout the building, as well as both self-service and teller-operated wagering machines.

The FanDuel Sportsbook has first-come, first-served seating in Victory and the Simulcast Lounge.

There is also a great “Big Game” dining option: Enjoy a live Q&A – plus watch the game – with PIX11/WFAN host Marc Malusis and former New York Jets linebacker and current ESPN Radio host Bart Scott.

To buy tickets, go here.

Facts about The Lounge and the event:

• Overlooks FanDuel Sportsbook and its giant screens on the floor below
• Numerous screens from wall to wall
• Table, bar and lounge-style seating
• Football swag and other giveaways
• Game insight by Malusis and Scott

About the tickets:

• All tickets include tax, tip and access to the game-day buffet
• Seating starts at 5:30 p.m.
• Game kicks off at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets:

• Single bar seat: $75
• 2-top table: $150
• 4-top table: $300
• 3-person couch: $300
• 5-person couch: $500

About the food and beverage specials:

• Wings with 3 sauces: Buffalo, Sweet n’ Spicy, BBQ
• Hot Dogs
• Burgers
• Chicken Fingers
• French Fries
• Dessert
• Beer Bucket and Beer Tower Specials

PARTY ON: Looking to book a corporate event or private party?  Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment 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.

HEAD TO FANDUEL FOR THE BIG GAME: For football fans, and, for that matter, not necessarily football fans as well, Sunday, Feb. 9, is so big it might as well be a national holiday.

That’s the day that the biggest single sporting event of this, or any, year takes place when the National Football League’s championship game takes place in New Orleans.

Don’t feel like traveling to the Big Easy to catch the game and pay big green to get a seat (the average ticket price is just over $8,000)? No problem. Head to The Meadowlands and watch and wager on all of the action in the FanDuel Sportsbook, which is the No. 1 facility of its kind in all of North America.

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.

The game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. and the stakes are high. The Kansas City Chiefs seek to become the first team ever to win three straight championship games, and standing in their way are the Philadelphia Eagles, the team the Chiefs beat in 2023 to start their winning streak.

The Chiefs are a 1½-point favorite and are -124 on the money line. The under/over is 49½ points.

This game is known for its numerous prop bets, here are a few:

• To be named the game’s MVP: Patrick Mahomes +110; Saquon Barkley +280
• To score a touchdown: Barkley -190; Jalen Hurts -115; Travis Kelce +130
• Passing yards under/over: Hurts, 210½ (-110); Mahomes, 251½ (-110)

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.

From The Meadowlands