Mighty “Mini Meet” to close out live racing at Big M

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – It might not be easy building to a crescendo when you have a meeting that is a mere four cards in duration, but that’s exactly what’s happening at The Meadowlands this weekend when Friday’s (Sept. 6) card features eight New Jersey Classic finals for 2- and 3-year-olds of each sex and gait for purses totaling $1.6 million.

The curtain on the mile oval’s two-week “Mini Meet” will come down at the conclusion of this week’s pair of 14-race programs, which will be contested Friday and Saturday (Sept. 7) with a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m.

“We are happy to have this spot on what is a crowded stakes schedule from a national perspective to race the New Jersey Classic events,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “To have an opportunity to showcase the continuing upswing in racing in the Garden State is something all of us at The Meadowlands are pleased and proud to do.”

After this weekend, Standardbred racing will take a five-week break before resuming in October. Harness racing’s year-end, $7-million, 12-race extravaganza, The Breeders Crown, returns to The Big M with eliminations on Oct. 18 and 19 and finals on Oct. 25 and 26.

In the interim, the Thoroughbreds will take to the stage – or, more accurately, the turf – as the “runners” will start a brief five-week stand on Sept. 20 that concludes Oct. 18.

By the way, fans of Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing are in for a treat on Oct. 18. That Friday will see a rare doubleheader at The Big M, when the harness action gets underway at a special early post time of 12:30 p.m. before a program of turf racing for the runners begins at 7 p.m.

During the Standardbred downtime, management at The Big M are hoping that their regular patrons support harness racing, as Grand Circuit competition will showcase some of the greatest races in the sport in the track’s expansive simulcast area, before The Meadowlands returns with a loud bang, with the aforementioned Breeders Crown, which will be followed by the FanDuel Championships and Fall Final Four in November.

For a complete schedule of major harness racing events, click here.

GET THE LAWNMOWER: The Meadowlands’ live racing schedule is as follows:

• Harness racing on Sept. 6 and 7. Post time 6:20 p.m.
• Thoroughbred turf racing on Sept. 20, 21, 27 and 28; Oct. 4, 5, 11, 12 and 18. Post time 7 p.m.
• There is no live racing on Sept. 13 and 14, but simulcasting will, as always, be offered.

THE “A”-TEAM RETURNS: The Meadowlands’ regular TV team of Jessica Otten and Dave Little will be back together all weekend long on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set. The live pregame show, with news, selections and a look at that night’s action, kicks off at 5:45 p.m.

Hall of Famer Ken Warkentin will be in his customary place atop the stands calling the action while John Rallis will be on hand conducting interviews from the back paddock as well as providing expert analysis and selections for FanDuel Television (FDTV).

FREE PROGRAMS: Past performances for every race of every Meadowlands card are available free of charge. All one has to do is go to playmeadowlands.com to access the information.

“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 Otten (@JessicaOtten1), Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).

LOW TAKEOUTS, BIG PAYOFFS: The Meadowlands offers players eight opportunities a night to make a score playing into big pools that offer a low 15 percent takeout as well as low wagering minimums.

Here is the lineup:

• Races 1-5: 20-cent Pick-5
• Races 2-8: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7
• Races 4-9: 20-cent Pick-6
• Races 6-9: 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
• Race 7: 10-cent Hi-5 (Pentafecta)
• Races 8-12: 20-cent Pick-5
• Races 10-13: 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
• Race 11: 10-cent Hi-5 (Pentafecta)

RALLIS’ RACE REVIEWS: For some help with your handicapping, check out the race reviews of The Big M’s morning-line oddsmaker and program analyst, Rallis.

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.”

YOUTH SERVED: Brandon Lutz of Glen Ridge, NJ built up a big early lead as a result of tabbing 44-1 shot Swans Eye in the third race Saturday (Aug. 31) night, and his final mythical bankroll of $127.80 was more than enough for him to take home the $2,000 first prize in the $5,000 handicapping contest that was restricted to players who were at least 18 years of age but no more than 30.

Finishing second through fourth, respectively, to also cash in were Joey Fisicaro (bankroll $71.30; prize $1,500), Joe Farinhas ($67.10; $1,000) and Austin Lotito ($64.70; $500).

PHIL AND BOOMER IN THE HOUSE: Hang out with a pair of New York quarterback legends when Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason answer your questions on Saturday (Sept. 7) at The Meadowlands.

There will be a special Q&A moderated by New York Times bestselling author Todd Ehrlich, so come ready with your queries about the upcoming NFL season, college football and/or their storied football and broadcasting careers.

What you need to know:

• Date: Saturday, Sept. 7
• Time: noon–1:30 p.m.
• Location: Meadowlands Racetrack, second-floor Lounge
• Details: Seating is first come, first served. Lounge opens at 11 a.m. Food and beverage will be available for purchase.
• Drawings: Giants and Jets footballs as well as autographed copies of Ehrlich’s 20 Greatest Moments in New York Sports History: Our Generation of Memories, From 1960 to Today
• Must be 21-years-of-age or older to attend and wager on sports. Gambling problem? Dial 1-800-Gambler

For complete information, and to preregister, go here.

FOOTBALL IN FANDUEL: The National Football League season begins Thursday (Sept. 5), and what better way is there to get your action and watch the game than visiting the FanDuel Sportsbook, which is located inside the grandstand at The Meadowlands.

The book is the No. 1 facility of its kind in North America.

Not surprisingly, the NFL schedule will have the gas pedal down to the floor from the get-go.

On Thursday, the Baltimore Ravens visit Kansas City to take on the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs in an 8:20 p.m. start. The Chiefs are favored by 3 points (-154 on the money line) in the game that has an under/over of 46½ points.

On Friday (Sept. 6), the Green Bay Packers travel to the City of Brotherly Love to take on Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles are a 2½-point favorite (-138) in the game that has an under/over of 49½. Kickoff is at 8:20 p.m.

The New York Giants’ season begins Sunday (Sept. 8) at 1 p.m. at MetLife Stadium when Big Blue welcomes in the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota is a 1½-point favorite (-124) in the game that has an under/over of 41½.

Will Aaron Rodgers’ season last more than four plays? That’s what New York Jets fans are hoping when the Jets head to San Francisco Monday (Sept. 9) night for a matchup with the defending NFC champs.

The game, which begins at 8:20 p.m., has the 49ers as a 4½-point favorite (-215). The under/over is 43½.

Whatever the sport, for the latest odds, click here.

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 race entries, click here: US Trotting entries.

by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands