East Rutherford, NJ – The Meadowlands is going to make some betting menu changes this weekend when live racing resumes Friday (Nov. 6) and Saturday (Nov. 7), and, in addition, the mile oval will host 13 races for both cards, which will get harness fans – and harness horsemen and women – out of the track a little earlier so they can recharge for the next day.
Post time at The Big M is 6:20 p.m.
“We are going to make some changes to the wagering card,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “We’ll be bringing back the 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 and returning the Late Pick-3 and Late Daily Double to their original base bets of $1.
“We will also offer just one 10-cent Hi-5 (Pentafecta) moving forward, with the thought being having just one should result in a nice-sized pool, and we will also not continue with a second 20-cent Pick-5. In addition, we are moving the 20-cent Pick-6.
“As for the 13-race programs, yes, they will allow us to finish earlier than usual, sometime around 11:30 p.m. So, while some will prefer 13-race programs, if they prevent our horsemen from getting their horses raced, we will have additional races. It’s all about the entry box.”
Meadowlands patrons have always enjoyed betting into the sport’s biggest pools, and the track will now offer six wagers nightly that have a low 15 percent take out.
Those bets are:
Races 1-5: 20-cent Pick-5 (Friday’s carryover: $17,328)Races 3-9: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 (mandatory payout nightly)Races 6-9: 50-cent Pick-4 (estimated pool $50,000)Races 8-13: 20-cent Pick-6Races 10-13: 50-cent Pick-4 (estimated pool $50,000)Race 11: 10-cent Hi-5 (Pentafecta)
THE SCHEDULE: The pacers and trotters will be in action at The Big M every Friday and Saturday through the end of 2026, with just one exception, as there is no live racing on Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25.
In addition, there are three Thursday cards on the calendar: Dec. 3, 10 and 17.
All told, there are 18 nights of live Meadowlands harness racing remaining this year, and each has a post time of 6:20 p.m.
SAVE THE DATES: There are still some dates worth circling on your calendar if you only like to come out to The Big M when the level of racing is sky high, starting with Saturday, Nov. 14, when the last major stakes card on not just The Meadowlands schedule, but the entire harness racing calendar, takes place when estimated purses of $2.65 million will be up for grabs on Fall Final Four/FanDuel Championships Night.
The eight stakes races that will take place that evening are:
$400,000 (est.) Valley Victory (2-year-old colt and gelding trot)$400,000 (est.) Governor’s Cup (2-year-old colt and gelding pace)$400,000 (est.) Goldsmith Maid (2-year-old filly trot)$400,000 (est.) Three Diamonds (2-year-old filly pace)$350,000 (est.) FanDuel Open Pace$350,000 (est.) FanDuel Open Trot$175,000 (est.) FanDuel Fillies and Mares Trot$175,000 (est.) FanDuel Fillies and Mares Pace
(All FanDuel events are for 3-year-olds and up)
The 2026 stakes curtain will then fall when four $70,000 (est.) New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund finals for 2-year-olds of each sex and gait will be contested on Saturday, Nov. 21.
A FOXY FALL FINAL FOUR: The TV teams at The Meadowlands and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) will continue their partnership with one last 2026 broadcast that will bring high-end Big M stakes action into people’s living rooms from coast-to-coast.
Fall Final Four/FanDuel Championships Night will be televised as part of the NYRA’s “America’s Day at the Races” series. Those eight dashes can be seen on Fox Sports 2 (FS2) from 9-11 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14.
TROTTING TITANS: In what is a prep for the FanDuel Open Trot, there is a star-studded feature race on Friday’s card.
The field of seven has three big names on the entry sheet, starting with a pair of Ron Burke trainees.
Defending Dan Patch Trotter of the Year Lexus Kody, who banked $1.3 million a year ago, will depart from post five with Tim Tetrick at the controls. He won’t be driven by his usual pilot – and Burke go-to guy – Yannick Gingras, because Gingras will guide Antognoni S, a winner of 22 of 39 races over 2025-26, a span over which he has earned over $850,000. Gingras is one of the horse’s owners.
The Nancy Takter-trained French Wine, the 2025 Breeders Crown champion, has post six for Jason Bartlett.
MEADOW AT THE ‘LANDS: This weekend will mark the return of Meadow Twaddle to the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set, serving as co-host alongside Big M TV veteran Dave Little.
The 24-year-old daughter of longtime horseman Tim Twaddle currently serves as the Marketing Director for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA), a role she stepped into in March of 2026.
“I’ve spent the past several months focusing on expanding our marketing efforts, organizing special events, building sponsorship opportunities, and finding new ways to attract fans to The Meadows and grow interest in harness racing,” said Meadow. “It’s been an exciting first year, and I’ve really enjoyed bringing new ideas to the table while continuing to promote a sport I’ve been involved in my entire life.”
Outside of her role with the MSOA, she has continued to pursue opportunities in broadcasting, including The Meadowlands live simulcast show, where she has become a semi-regular. She was also part of The Meadows’ biggest day. “One of the highlights of my year was making my national television debut on the CBS Sports Network for the 60th edition of the Delvin Miller Adios in July,” said Meadow. “Being part of the broadcast team for such a prestigious event, especially at my home track, was an incredible experience and a milestone I’m very grateful for.”
Ken Warkentin will be in his usual spot at the top of the stands calling the action with Gary DiLeo handling interviews with winning connections.
HAVE SOME PIE: When you have dinner before leaving your house to come to the track on Saturday (Nov. 7), be sure to not have dessert. That will be available at The Meadowlands.
That night, it will be time for pie, when $4,250 in prize money will be up for as the track hosts its inaugural Pie Palooza.
There will be four categories for pie bakers: Fruit/Berry, Apple, Savory and Cream Based. There will also be a pie eating contest.
Those five competitions will offer $850 in prize money, with $500 going to the winner, $250 to the second-place finisher and $100 to third.
The contest takes place trackside on the ground floor from 6-9 p.m., and for those who don’t bake, they too, can get in on the fun, as there will be free samples for all to taste. In addition, The Peach Cobbler Factory (peachcobblerfactory.com) will be onsite selling some great-tasting goods.
For further information, go here.
ABSOLUTELY FREE: To show appreciation to its loyal fan base, The Meadowlands offers free program pages for every race of every race card on its website.
Go to playmeadowlands.com, then click on the “handicapping” dropdown to get the past performances at absolutely no cost.
GET THE 411: Check out The Meadowlands on Facebook (@meadowlandsracetrack) for race replays, interviews, carryover updates, promotional videos and much more.
Everything Meadowlands is also available by going on X. You can check in with the Big M team for early changes, racing information and staff selections by going to @themeadowlands or #playbigm.
Stay in touch with The Big M talent duo of Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).
FANDUEL: Meadowlands regulars who love to plunk down a bet or two on college or professional sports, know all they have to do is head for the FanDuel Sportsbook, the No. 1 betting facility of its type in North America.
It couldn’t be easier to do, as it’s located inside the grandstand at The Big M. There are massive TV screens and self-service betting terminals, which enable fans to watch and wager in comfort while having some great food and drink.
Whatever the sport, for the latest odds, go here.
The FanDuel Sportsbook is open for business Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. – 1 a.m.; and Sunday 8 a.m. – midnight.