Meadowlands: Handicapping contest, Pick 6 carryover on tap this weekend

With the four-week break from harness racing at The Meadowlands coming up soon, Leg 9 of the $1,000 Big M Monthly Handicapping Contest takes place this Saturday (Sept. 5) just two weeks since the previous leg, instead of the usual four.

A pair of handicappers have done exceptionally well throughout the preliminaries, as both Stefan Ferrara and John Skladany, who finished first and second, respectively in August, now have three entries in the hat for the contest’s invitation-only final.

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 win some cash (on a $500-$250-$150-$100 basis), but only the top two finishers earn spots in the $10,000 final, which takes place on Saturday, Dec. 12.

“It really doesn't make sense for anyone in attendance at the track not to play,” said contest regular Patrick O’Malley, who has earned two entries into the final. “It's free money. It's the same as going to the teller and buying a $100 voucher. If you hit something big you can win some of the contest money.” 

Both Ferrara and Skladany seek to become the first players ever to have four entries in the final. That field will be limited to 22 entries.

Thus far this year, 16 entries have been earned for the year-end competition, those handicappers – with their monthly 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)

·         July: Jim Sidor ($1,192.10) and Russ Slader ($750)

·         August: Ferrara ($1,000.75) and Skladany ($726.50)

2026 contest schedule:

·         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 6:20 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 Dec. 12 (22 total players).

To register for the competition, go here.

DOUBLE CARRYOVER: What do multi-leg players at The Meadowlands like more than a carryover? A double carryover, of course, and that’s the pool they will be swimming in Friday night when the 20-cent Pick-6 is offered on races eight through 13.

The carryover stands at $10,673, which could lead to an estimated total pool of $50,000.

-edited release (Dave Little for The Meadowlands)