Meadowlands: Multi-race pools growing in 2018

It was another good 48 hours for Meadowlands' players last weekend (Jan. 26-27) as big pools led to big payouts over the two racing programs.

The Saturday night 13-race card saw a 2018-high total handle of $2,790,201 ($214,630 per race) pushed through the windows, highlighted by the track’s signature Pick 4 wager, which had a pool that topped $100,000 for the first time this year.

“Going into the 2018 season,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “Our goals were getting the Pick 5 pools back to $50,000 and the Pick 4 pools back to $75,000. Last weekend, both Pick 5 pools surpassed $56,000 while the Pick 4s clocked in at $85,000 and $101,000, respectively. Our 20-Cent Jackpot Super High Five carryover heading into Friday is at $84,000. These large pools are obviously attracting all types of night-time players to the Meadowlands' signal.

"The new tax laws are helping the horse player immensely, which, of course, helps the Meadowlands. Friday night, one of the Pick 5 winners was in Chicago. The cost of the ticket was $54. Last year, there would have been over $3,000 withheld under the old tax laws. This year, the winner got the entire $12,000. This keeps more money in the horseplayer’s pocket and that is one of the reasons – along with the 15 percent takeout and bigger payouts – that you see these pools getting huge again at the Meadowlands.”

LIVE SHOW RETURNS: “Meadowlands Harness Live” returns from a one-week hiatus this Friday, when the one-hour presentation will be seen on SportsNet New York (SNY) beginning at 9 p.m.

The program will showcase three live races, including the payoff leg of the Pick 5 as well as the first two legs of the Pick 4.

Racing resumes at the Meadowlands Friday night at 6:35 p.m.

-edited release, Dave Little for The Meadowlands