Derby/Graduate Series at Big M

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The Meadowlands will be the place for horse lovers of both harness racing and Thoroughbred action this weekend as 26 live harness races will be offered along with “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports”, the 147th running of The Kentucky Derby, where fans can watch and wager on the “Run for the Roses” in one of the most impressive simulcast facilities anywhere, at The Big M.

For those who want to get an early start on Derby Day, gates at The Meadowlands will open at 9 a.m. Saturday morning. The first of 14 races at Churchill Downs has a post time of 10:30 a.m. The Derby, which is race 12 on the card, has a post time of 6:57 p.m.

There are many dining options for Derby Day at The Big M, but patrons should be aware that there will be a $10 general admission that day for those who will be attending the races while not taking advantage of any special dining opportunities.

For complete information, go to playmeadowlands.com.

Given the reduced racetrack capacity, those looking for a convenient way to bet on The Derby – and the Kentucky Oaks – can use the walk-up teller windows that will be available in Lot M off Berry’s Creek Road. Both Friday, April 30 (Kentucky Oaks Day) and Saturday, May 1 (Kentucky Derby Day) the windows will be open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Programs will be on sale.

“We are delighted to host one of the greatest days in racing,” said Meadowlands’ Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “With the earlier 6:20 p.m. post this year, we expect an incredibly exciting atmosphere at The Meadowlands for our live racing program on Derby Day.”

CARRYOVER CRAZY: It’s a fact that Meadowlands fans love a carryover, and their next chance to jump into one with a sizeable pool comes this Friday (April 30).

Last Saturday (April 24), no one hit the 20-cent Pick-6, creating a carryover of $9,992. That amount might seem unimpressive, but because that money is not subject to the already low 15 per cent takeout on the wager, betting figures to be fast and furious on Friday.

The last time a carryover was offered on a P6 (April 10), a $9,019 carryover led to a total pool of $73,124, and those who correctly selected all six winners collected $877.14.

Get all the information you need without spending a dime. Free program pages for every race of every Meadowlands card are available by going to playmeadowlands.com.

PROLIFIC PAYOUTS: Last weekend saw chalk players sporting smiles on their faces, as 15 post-time choices scored over the 26 races (58%), but that didn’t mean there weren’t big payouts over the two race cards.

On Friday, patient punters walked away with big green on the last race, as the 20-cent Pick-6 returned $3,162 and the 10-cent Hi-5/Pentafecta paid $6,825.

Saturday’s robust returns came in the 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 ($16,267) and the Hi-5/Pentafecta ($4,498).

Total wagering on Saturday was $3,552,966, the eighth-straight card to see betting of at least $3 million. Thus far in 2021, there have been 17 Saturday programs with 16 of them besting the $3-million mark.

POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE: Some of the best 4-year-old pacers in training will be on the track at The Big M Saturday as the Graduate Series gets underway with a pair of $50,000 dashes in Leg One of the series.

Division One features Poseidon Seelster, a Nik Drennan trainee seeking his third straight win in sub-1:50, and Captain Barbossa, the 2020 Little Brown Jug winner who won last week at The Big M in 1:49.1 after a final quarter in a sensational :25.3.

Ruthless Hanover makes his first start in three months off a win at the mile oval in 1:48.4 in Division Two, and will take on Sandbetweenmytoes, who upset Horse of the Year Tall Dark Stranger in the 2020 Breeders Crown at odds of 200-1.

SURVIVOR STARTS: The Meadowlands Summer Survival Challenge powered by 123Racing returns on Saturday.

The game covers The Big M’s Championship Meeting and concludes on Hambletonian Day, Aug. 7.

Cash prizes and three spots in the World Harness Handicapping Championship will be up for grabs. For all you need to know to enter, go to https://www.survival-challenge.com/.

A HALF-DOZEN CHANCES: The Big M offers players six opportunities every night to make a score, betting on the track’s popular wagers that offer a low 15 percent takeout. They are:

Race 1: 20-cent Pick-5

Race 3: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7

Race 6: 50-cent Pick-4

Race 8: 20-cent Pick-6

Race 10: 50-cent Pick-4

Race 13: 10-cent Hi-5/Pentafecta

$100,000 GUARANTEED: Every night, The Meadowlands guarantees big green on both editions of its signature wager, as each 50-cent Pick-4 – which span races six through nine and 10 through 13 – sports a guaranteed pool of $50,000.

GET SOCIAL: You can always check in with the team at The Meadowlands on Twitter.

For early changes, racing information and staff selections, go to @themeadowlands or #playbigm.

On race nights, stay in touch with the Big M’s Dave Brower (@eedoogie), Dave Little (@DaveLittleBigM), Ken Warkentin (@kenvoiceover) and Jessica Otten (@JessicaOtten1).

CHECK OUT THE PICKS: For those who like to get a leg up on the action, go to playmeadowlands.com to see track oddsmaker and analyst Brower’s selections and commentary. Click on the “handicapping” tab and go to “race reviews”.

Brower’s input is generally available 48 hours before every card.

THE SCHEDULE: Live racing continues every Friday and Saturday with a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m. The 20-cent Pick-5 is offered on the first race.

Big M TV’s live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pre-game show, which provides news, notes, features, staff selections and a look at that evening’s marquee races, gets underway at 5:47 p.m.

THE NO. 1 BOOK: The Kentucky Derby and the best harness racing in the world not providing enough action? Head into The Meadowlands’ FanDuel Sportsbook, the top facility of its kind in the country, to get all the sports bets you want.

On Thursday (April 29), one game to consider in the NBA is the Brooklyn Nets at the Indiana Pacers. If you don’t mind laying eight points, you can have the Nets at -112. Don’t like point spreads? Bet the Nets to win the game regardless of by how many points, and your odds become -335.

If you like prop bets, you can bet on players to record a triple-double. For the Nets, Kyrie Irving is +1700 and Kevin Durant is +2900. For the Pacers, Malcolm Brogdon is +2400.

The sportsbook is open Sunday-Friday from 10 a.m.-midnight and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 a.m. The cash counter is open from 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

From The Meadowlands