Meadowlands hosting race in honor of MLK

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Friday (Jan. 24) night’s fifth race might look ordinary to those who follow harness racing at The Meadowlands on a regular basis, but the man it honors was anything but ordinary.

The $10,000 claiming pace pays tribute to slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who undoubtedly would have loved the fact that the mile dash in his honor is a mixed-race event that will feature five African-American drivers. The MLK Day holiday was Jan. 20, five days after what would have been King’s 96^th birthday.

King wanted a world where people of all races would get along, and one of the many of his quotes that carried enormous impact was: “We must learn to live together as brothers or we will die together as fools.”

The African-American quintet of Jim King Solomon, DeShawn Sample, Yogi Sheridan, William Carter and Brandon Cruse will take on Bradley Chisholm, Justin Irvine, Justin Huckabone, Tyler Miller and Braxten Boyd in the $11,000 race that has been dubbed the “Martin Luther King Remembrance Race”.

“All of us at The Meadowlands are so pleased to be having this event that recognizes one of the most important figures in American history,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “Dr. King’s beliefs, along with his ability to motivate people to protest peacefully, went a long way toward advancing the rights of African-Americans both back in the 1960s, as well as today, when his legacy continues to live on.”

THE SCHEDULE: During the month of January, 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.

Jenna Otten, the TV analyst and handicapper from Ohio’s Scioto Downs, will be in town handling back paddock interviews this weekend as well as serving as commentator for FanDuel Television’s Big M feed.

IT FINALLY HAPPENED: Something took place at The Meadowlands Saturday (Jan. 18) night that had never happened before.

In the second race, Stone Cold Savage ($5.40 to win), Woodrow F Call ($4.40) and Spirit Of Truth ($42.60) hit the wire together in 1:54 in the TrackMaster 74.5 for pacers, and when the judges could not separate the trio, the result was the first triple dead heat for win in Meadowlands history.

It was nearly a quadruple dead heat as a fast-closing Urban Renewal finished just 21/100ths of a second behind the three winners.

It was a long time coming. The Meadowlands opened for business in September of 1976.

ATTA BOYD: Boyd had the hottest hands in the driver colony on Friday (Jan. 17) by registering five victories on the card. Only one of the 24-year-old’s winners went off as the post-time favorite as his victorious horses ended up at odds of 5-2, 7-2, 9-2, 8-5 (favorite) and 2-1.

WINNERS FROM THE BOOTH: Warkentin is a Hall of Fame announcer. And he’s a pretty good handicapper as well.

Friday (Jan. 17) night, Warkentin was on fire, selecting seven winners on top. His best bet, Finite ($2.40 to win), was victorious as was his value play, 5-1 chance Pattycake Mooss ($12.00). The man with the binoculars tabbed the Early Daily Double, plus four cold Exactas, one of which returned $51 (in race six) and another that paid $45.60 (race 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 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).

A GRAND NIGHT: Nick Montemurro and Gary Scogna were the big winners in the first of The Big M’s monthly $1,000 Handicapping Contests on Friday (Jan. 17).

Montemurro and Scogna actually took the top four spots. Montemurro was first and third, finishing with $361 and $247, respectively, while Scogna ended up with $284.36 and $241.05, respectively.

By finishing in the top two, the duo qualified for the $10,000 contest that will be held in December.

The next $1,000 contest takes place on Friday, Feb. 14.

For more information, and to enter, go here.

DRINK FROM THE CUP: The ninth running of the Gr. 1, $3-million Pegasus World Cup Invitational from Gulfstream Park takes place on Saturday (Jan. 25), and Meadowlands’ Thoroughbred racing simulcast regulars know they can watch and wager on the action in South Florida in the expansive simulcast area inside the grandstand of the mile track in East Rutherford.

Locked, a Todd Pletcher trainee, is the 5-2 morning-line favorite, despite having not raced during 2023 and starting only two times in 2024. Those wins came at Aqueduct, one in an allowance event and the other in the Gr. 2 Cigar Mile.

The Pegasus World Cup is the final race of 13 on the program and has a post time of 5:40 p.m.

PIRATE PARTY: A great college basketball matchup will be in the spotlight on Saturday (Jan. 25), when the Seton Hall Pirates head to Omaha, NE to take on the Creighton Blue Jays in a 1:30 p.m. tip-off.

There’s no need to travel across the country to catch the action. Head to The Meadowlands and watch the game in The Gallery, where there are huge TVs and waitress service.

For complete information, go here.

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.

TWO WEEKS 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.

The best place to see it is The Meadowlands, where there are many ways to enjoy the biggest single sporting event on the calendar of this or any year.

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.

CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY IN FANDUEL: For football fans, Sunday (Jan. 26) is huge as “Championship Sunday” takes center stage 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, where they can watch and wager on every matchup.

The dynamite doubleheader gets underway at 3 p.m. when the Washington Commanders travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles. The Eagles are a 6½-point favorite and are -290 on the money line. The under/over is 47½ points.

At 6:30 p.m., the Buffalo Bills head to Kansas City for a battle with the two-time defending champion Chiefs. Kansas City is a 1½-point favorite who are -126 on the money line. The under/over is 47½.

How about a prop bet for who will win the championship? That wager is available in the FanDuel Sportsbook before the two games on Sunday take place.

The Eagles are the favorite to take the title home (+175), followed by the Chiefs (+210), Bills (+250) and Commanders (+850).

FanDuel also has “hypothetical matchups” for the title tilt. The Bills or Chiefs would be 4½-point favorites over the Commanders while the Bills or Chiefs would be 1½ over the Eagles.

The National Football League’s championship game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in New Orleans.

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