Meadowlands: Handle spikes in May

Wagering on the nine Meadowlands programs in May totaled $29,621,969, for a nightly average of $3,291,329. That breaks down to an average per race of $235,094.

In addition, action during May saw a gain of over $300,000 per night over the same month a year ago.

What might be the best indicator of how well things have been from a business perspective at The Big M this year is the fact that in a difficult environment for the sport, The Meadowlands is thriving.

According to numbers on the United States Trotting Association website (ustrotting.com), betting on harness races is down while action at The Big M is up.

The USTA’s “Economic indicators on U.S. races” showed that through June 3, wagering on harness racing during 2024 was down 4.83 percent. Action at The Big M, off a “Gural-Settlemoir Era” record-setting 2023, is up 1.57 percent. A year ago, betting per night averaged $3.087 million.

Through 43 race cards in 2023, total betting at The Meadowlands was $132,965,232, good for an average of $3.092 million.

Thus far in 2024, through 43 programs, wagering has totaled $135,057,933, which calculates to $3.140 million per card.

“All of us at The Meadowlands are grateful to be able to say business is up over last year,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “We owe so much to our loyal fan base who always appreciate betting our product, our race office for carding competitive races, our horsemen for supporting the entry box and our employees for presenting an atmosphere where the patron can come for a great night of entertainment, and that goes for people who like betting on the races, as well as those who don’t.”

BREAKFAST WITH THE BABIES: If you want to come out and watch the stars of the future, head to the track this Saturday (June 8) at 9 a.m. for Breakfast with the Babies.

Sponsored by Jules Siegel’s Fashion Farms, fans, horsemen and owners are invited to come out and enjoy a continental breakfast and beverages. In addition, programs will be provided to all those watching the 2-year-old baby races. The action will be live streamed via The Meadowlands website, and the voice of The Big M, Ken Warkentin, will be on the microphone from the announcer’s booth. It’s all free and fun and everyone is invited to attend.

Qualifier and baby race proofs are available at playmeadowlands.com.

THE GREAT EIGHT: The Meadowlands’ appetizing betting menu is now a little tastier with the addition of a second 20-cent Pick-5, joining the pair of 50-cent Pick-4s already on the bill of fare.

There are eight wagers nightly that offer a chance for players to make a big hit while betting into big pools that offer a low takeout of just 15 percent. Here is the lineup:

• Races 1-5: Early 20-cent Pick-5

• Races 2-8: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 (mandatory payout nightly)

• Races 4-9: 20-cent Pick-6

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

• Race 7: 10-cent Pentafecta (Hi-5)

• Races 8-12: Late 20-cent Pick-5

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

• Race 11: 10-cent Pentafecta (Hi-5)

CAN YOU WIN 5 GRAND? On Saturday (June 8), The Meadowlands will host a handicapping contest that has a prize pool of $5,000. Players must be onsite to participate.

What you need to know:

• You must purchase a $100 betting card, with purchase (cash only) required at contest check-in

• Entry includes live racing program

• Contestants must bet a minimum of 10 Meadowlands races

• $10 minimum bet per race; no maximum bet

• Win, Place, Show and/or Exacta wagers only (no Exacta boxes)

• Maximum two horses per race betting Exacta; one horse per race WPS

• Contestants keep all pari-mutuel winnings

• Unlimited entries allowed per person

• Contest check-in begins at 5 p.m. at the Clubhouse Main Entrance Lobby

Prizes: 1st: $2,000; 2nd: $1,250; 3rd: $1,000; 4th: $500; 5th: $250

-edited release (Meadowlands)