This Saturday (May 18) will mark the first time this year that stakes racing from The Meadowlands will be shown to a national television audience as FOX Sports will broadcast live the first major event of the season at The Big M, the $145,150 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial for open trotters, on FOX Sports 2 (FS2) at 9 p.m. In addition to the Cutler, Karl, the early favorite for the 99th edition of the Hambletonian, will be in the spotlight as the team at FOX will not only show his New Jersey Sire Stakes race on the show, but also begin to chronicle the Nancy Takter’s trainee road to the Hambo, which takes place on Saturday, Aug. 3. “We are very much looking forward to Saturday night,” said Eric Donovan, the senior director of TV broadcast operations at The New York Racing Association. “The Cutler has come up a strong race with two 2023 Breeders Crown winners in Southwind Tyrion and the mare, Jiggy Jog S.  Additionally, one race earlier, in the New Jersey Sire Stakes, the presence of 2-year-old trot champ and budding superstar Karl makes the show a must-watch as he sets course for the Hambletonian.” As if that weren’t enough, the premier show, which will once again feature Jessica Otten and Gabe Prewitt on-site at The Meadowlands, will have a fresh face on-set from NYRA’s TV headquarters at Aqueduct Racetrack, as special guest John Campbell, the president and chief executive officer of the Hambletonian Society as well as a two-time winner of the Cutler, will sit alongside show host Acacia Clement and provide commentary during the night. “All of us at The Meadowlands are excited about our races being shown to a national television audience once again,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “Teaming up with the top-flight TV crew at the NYRA has been a great way to show our races to an audience that previously only had access to Thoroughbred racing for the most part. What the shows on FOX have done is create players who like watching and wagering on both breeds, and that’s something that’s good for everyone involved.” MAY HANDLE AVERAGING $3.4M: At The Meadowlands, there has been a noticeable surge in business this month, starting with Kentucky Derby weekend (May 3-4). Interest in the 14-race programs at The Big M has been incredibly high, as The Championship Meet – which kicked off on Derby Day – has put up giant numbers during May. The handle for the four race cards contested thus far this month was: •         May 3: $3,450,418 •         May 4: $3,870,638 (Big M 2024 best) •         May 10: $3,113,950 •         May 11: $3,390,240 “The average handle illustrates how popular The Meadowlands prime-time signal has become,” said Settlemoir. “Average nightly handle in May is $3,481,311. That breaks down to an average per race of $248,665. “The most encouraging part of our success this spring is that all of our big events are coming up,” said Settlemoir. “The Championship Meet will bring the greatest stars in Standardbred racing to New Jersey to compete in the sport’s greatest events.” The list of get-out-to-the-track-worthy events include the Meadowlands Pace (on July 13), Hambletonian (Aug. 3), Breeders Crown (Oct. 25-26) and Fall Final Four/FanDuel Championships (Nov. 30). RALLIS JOINS THE TEAM: The Meadowlands is proud to announce that John Rallis, 28, who has become an impactful personality of late on the Big M’s live simulcast show with his interviewing and handicapping skills, has now come on board as the track’s morning-line odds maker and program analyst. “We knew John was the goods from the time we hired him to work for us on Fall Final Four/FanDuel Championships Night last November,” said Settlemoir. “To get someone as young as John who has the passion and expertise he brings to the table will be a big plus for us.” Rallis, who currently is the associate editor at TROT Magazine, is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead. “I think I have a fairly good understanding about the odds and handicapping nuances of the sport at The Meadowlands,” said Rallis. “You’re never going to be 100 percent right doing the morning line, but you want to be close. I’m sure I’ll be humbled, but am so appreciative at the opportunity to do this at the top track in the sport. My role at Standardbred Canada has helped me with a deeper understanding of the sport.” SHARPEN YOUR PENCILS: After the big Thoroughbred race on Saturday, Big M fans can turn their attention back to the live 14-race harness card, and maybe make themselves some money along the way by participating in a free handicapping contest with a guaranteed prize pool of $10,000. What you need to know: •         The contest is open anyone 18-years-old or older. Limited to one entry per person. •         On Saturday (May 18), players must check-in and register at the Players Club Desk by 6:30 p.m. and complete the “official contest” form prior to Race 2. •         There is no entry fee and no live money wagered into the pari-mutuel pools. •         Each contestant will receive a $10 betting voucher and free live racing program. •         Each participant makes mythical $2 across-the-board wagers [win, place and show] for Meadowlands races 2-11. •         Contestants must make their mythical selections for races 2-10 prior to Race 2 on the official contest entry form online or in paper form and turn them into the contest official. •         If horse is scratched, participant receives the post-time favorite. •         If Meadowlands cancels due to inclement weather, the contest is canceled. •         The winner is determined by the highest total mythical bankroll at the conclusion of the 11th race at The Meadowlands. Winner must be present to claim prize. •         In the event of a tie, payouts for the placings will be combined and divided. Prize payouts: 1st – $2,500; 2nd – $2,000; 3rd – $1,250; 4th – $1,000; 5th – $750; 6th through 10th – $500. -edited release (Meadowlands)