Meadowlands: Fall meet getting into the swing

With Labor Day now in the rear-view mirror, sweaters and jackets will begin to make their way out of closets everywhere, which means The Meadowlands Fall Meeting shifts into high gear this weekend with racing being conducted on both Friday (Sept. 11) and Saturday (Sept. 12) at the mile oval for the first time since the first week of August.

Post time is 7:15 p.m. for both programs.

The Meadowlands will race every Friday and Saturday – except for Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25 – through the end of 2020.

The big track just off the New Jersey Turnpike saw total wagering of almost $2.6 million on Opening Night last Saturday (Sept. 5), and that number may increase twice over the upcoming weekend, now that all Big M fans should be aware that the track is back.

The betting was significant, given the history of September wagering at the track, where an average of $1.8 million was pushed through the windows over the course of four programs in 2016, and $1.6 million was bet in 2017 for the same number of cards. The last two times racing occurred in September was 2016-17.

Optimistic breeders in the Garden State – as well as optimistic bettors – will no doubt point to the help that Gov. Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Legislature have provided the industry as playing a part in the highly favorable September handle comparison.

The highest Meadowlands Pace Night handle since 2008, highest Hambletonian Final handle since 2012 and a record-breaking Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park further prove that those in power in Trenton are behind the racing industry.

There is plenty to look forward to this weekend for the player. Of the 26 races scheduled to take place this Friday and Saturday, 25 of them will have 10-horse fields, which create the big pools that bettors love.

Value is always available at The Big M, where only three winning favorites scored last Saturday, setting up some prolific payouts since the average win price was $11.40 (odds of 9-2).

Low takeouts and low minimums mean bettors can bet small and hit big. Some of the Saturday night highlights included the payouts for the 50-cent Late Pick-4 ($1,428), 20-cent Late Pick-5 ($1,968) and 20-cent Pick-6 ($2,128).

On a nightly basis, the track now offers seven popular wagers with low 15 percent takeouts:

Race 1: 20-cent Pick-5

Race 3: 20-cent Pick-6

Race 5: 10-cent Pentafecta

Race 6: 50-cent Pick-4

Race 9: 20-cent Pick-5

Race 10: 50-cent Pick-4

Race 13: 10-cent Pentafecta

-edited release (Meadowlands)