Meadowlands: Handicapping contest and new betting menu this weekend

For the seventh time this year, patrons who think they have handicapping skills will go at it for $1,000 in cash prizes when Leg 7 of the popular Meadowlands Monthly Handicapping Contest takes place on Friday (July 24) night.

And when they do, they will be placing their wagers on an updated betting menu, one that will ring in the new as well as some of the old.

But first, the contest.

It’s important to finish at or near the top of the leaderboard, as the four players with the highest bankrolls at the end of the night will win some cash (on a $500-$250-$150-$100 basis), but only the top two finishers will earn spots in the $10,000 invitation-only contest final, which takes place on Saturday, Dec. 12.

Thus far this year, 12 entries have been earned for the year-end competition, those handicappers – with their contest totals – are:

January: Del Kern ($934.01) and Stefan Ferrara ($840.76)

February: Robert Glaser ($592.50) and Emile Issa ($500)

March: Sean Loebs ($1,170.06) and Patrick O’Malley ($832)

April: O’Malley ($554) and Ferrara ($380.20)

May: John Skladany ($1,031.60) and James Molina ($800)

June: Rodney Duncan ($822.20) and Skladany ($497.28)

2026 contest schedule:

Leg 7 – Friday, July 24

Leg 8 – Saturday, Aug. 22

Leg 9 – Saturday, Sept. 5

Leg 10 – Friday, Oct. 23

Leg 11 – Saturday, Nov. 14

Invitation-only $10,000 contest final: Saturday, Dec. 12

Each monthly contest will follow the same format:

·         Contestants must bet a minimum of five Meadowlands races.

·         No minimum or maximum bet per race.

·         All wagers offered on The Meadowlands program are eligible for the contest.

·         Contestants keep all pari-mutuel winnings.

·         Unlimited entries per person.

There is no entry fee, but a $100 live-money bankroll is required for players, and the prize pool is guaranteed at $1,000, funded by The Meadowlands.

On the night of the contest, players must register/check-in at the Clubhouse Lobby by 6:35 p.m. A $100 betting card must be purchased to participate, as this is a live-money/wagering contest. 

The top two finishers from each $1,000 contest earn spots in the $10,000 tournament final on December 12 (22 total players).

To register for the competition, go here.

Must be 18 or over to wager on racing. Gambling problem, dial 1-800-GAMBLER.

A NEW BETTING MENU: When racing resumes Friday, there will be some adjustments to the betting menu, and that menu will be in play for the foreseeable future. Two things that players are certain to notice is the absence of the second 20-cent Pick-5 – the one that’s offered on the first race is going nowhere – and back on the slate is the 20-cent Survivor Pick-7.

This is the new wagering menu:

·         Races 1-5: 20-cent Pick-5

·         Races 4-9: 20-cent Pick-6

·         Races 6-9: 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)

·         Race 7: 10-cent Pentafecta (Hi-5)

·         Races 8-14: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7

·         Races 10-13: 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)

·         Races 11-12: $2 Daily Double

·         Races 13-15: $3 Pick-3

·         Races 14-15: $5 Late Double

·         Race 15: 10-cent Pentafecta (Hi-5)

The two Pick-4s with guaranteed pools are offered in conjunction with the U.S. Trotting Association's Strategic Wagering Program.

“We believe this gives us the most exciting wagering menu in the sport,” said Meadowlands Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “There are plenty of opportunities to make scores with the types of wagers that the players want.”

-edited release (Dave Little for Meadowlands Media Relations)