Betting up at Monmouth-at-Meadowlands meet

Average daily handle at the Monmouth-at-Meadowlands all-turf meet is up 14 percent through the first six cards of the meet.

Through last Saturday's sixth card of the meet, the track is averaging $1,249,995 in total handle. The first six cards of last year’s meet, through Oct. 17, averaged $1,099,303.

At this point in the meet, both this year and last, three cards were canceled due to weather or course conditions.

Field size is averaging 9.67 horses per race this year, up from 8.5 starters during the same period last year.

“It’s a great, competitive product that fans have truly embraced,” said Dennis Drazin, the head of Darby Development LLC, which operates the meet on behalf of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association.

With four programs remaining at the meet, Abel Castellano Jr. leads the rider standings with five wins, one more than Armando Ayuso.

Derek Ryan is atop the trainer standings with three wins. Eight trainers have won two races at the meet.

First post time this Friday and Saturday is 7 p.m. On the last two days of the meet – Breeders’ Cup Friday and Saturday – first post will be 12:30 p.m.