Meadowlands: Handle tops $4 million mark on Saturday night

Powered by a pair of races that featured huge action, all-source handle totaled $4,083,026 Saturday night at the Meadowlands, the second time this month where wagering blew past the $4-million plateau.

During all of 2020, the $4-million barrier was broken three times, the first of which did not occur until June 20.

Saturday's play marked the second-best night of the year, topped only by Jan. 2, when wagering reached $4.5 million. All five Saturday programs during the month of January have seen action of at least $3.4 million.

The 20-cent Pick 5 got things off to a big start, with $105,890 put in the hat, keying the first race grand total of $379,815. The sixth race 50-cent early Pick 4 took in a 2020-best $135,815, as a total of $417,983 was pushed through the windows on that dash.

Rarely will wagering top $300,000 on the last race of the night, but that's just what the Big M faithful put in play (actually $300,670) in the 14th event, keyed by an exacta pool that topped $95,000.

The late Pick 4 saw $107,428 pushed through the windows, marking the second time this year where both Pick 4s reached six figures. On the other night that happened (Jan. 2), Pick 4 betting totaled a little more than $223,000 while on Saturday, the total wager was $243,243.

--press release (the Meadowlands)--