East Rutherford, NJ — One sharp player cashed in big – thanks to Todd McCarthy – just in time for Christmas at The Meadowlands Friday (Dec. 18) night by hitting the 20-cent Pick-5. He or she walked away with $43,916.06.

A pair of heavy favorites who were likely singled on many tickets – Best Honey Hanover (2-5 in the first race) and Walks Of Life (3-5 in the third) – went down to defeat, setting the stage for the big payday for the winner, who was betting into the Oregon hub.

McCarthy, second in the Big M driver standings at the Fall Meet with 37 wins entering the night, scored with 23-1 shot Genessee Seelster in race three and then came right back in the fourth with 13-1 chance Peppermint Mocha. The odds of the winners for the sequence were 9-2, 4-5, 23-1, 13-1 and 5-1.