East Rutherford, NJ — Meadowlands management is never afraid to make changes when they think they’re warranted. With the 20-cent Pick-8 not quite creating the level of expected excitement since its inception seven months ago, The Big M has decided to discontinue the wager while adding a second 20-cent Pick-5 to its popular low-takeout laundry list of multi-leg puzzles.

“The wagering public speaks every day and every night,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “They are the barometer for what works and what doesn’t. The Pick-8, despite seeing a total pool of $150,000 earlier this meet, did not make the cut as we head toward the Championship Meet, which begins the first weekend of May. The Late Pick-5 will be another popular low-takeout wager, making our all-star wagering lineup even stronger.”

The Meadowlands will continue to have eight nightly wagers that offer a chance for players to make a big hit while betting into big pools that offer a low takeout of just 15 percent. The new lineup of those wagers:

Races 1-5: Early 20-cent Pick-5
Races 2-8: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 (mandatory payout nightly)
Races 4-9: 20-cent Pick-6
Races 6-9: Early 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
Race 7: 20-cent Pentafecta (Hi-5)
Races 8-12: Late 20-cent Pick-5
Races 10-13: Late 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
Race 11: 20-cent Pentafecta (Hi-5)

“The Meadowlands has always known that responding to the horseplayer and providing them big pools along with value has to be part of a successful business model,” said Settlemoir. “Stating that, the evolution of The Big M wagering menu through the years is nothing short of incredible. There was a time when there was only one trifecta on a program, and the daily double was the only multi-leg wager on the card. The evolution continues this Friday, as the Meadowlands will roll out a Late Pick-5 that starts on the eighth race every night.”

The numbers say that adding a Pick-5 is a good idea, as thus far during April, the six Pick-5s — one per race card for six race cards — have taken in a total of $447,426, an average of $74,571 per card.

Placing a Pick-5 later in the action will give bettors who join in wagering at The Meadowlands during the middle portion of the program an opportunity to participate in what’s a very popular bet at the mile oval.

“Just like the Early Pick-5,” said Settlemoir, “the new Late Pick-5 will have a 20-cent minimum and a 40-percent takeout reduction from the past, down to 15 percent. To accommodate our new arrival, the wagering menu will be shuffled, with the end result being one of the most exciting and low-takeout-oriented wagering menus in all of racing.”

Live racing takes place this Friday (April 26) and Saturday (April 27) with a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m.

Survive The Summer: The Meadowlands Summer Survival Challenge, powered by 123Racing, kicks off Friday (May 3). Cash prizes and Meadowlands swag are up for grabs in this free online contest.

The game covers the Meadowlands Championship Meet and will conclude on Saturday (Aug. 3).

The winner is determined by the highest total bankroll at the end of the Challenge based on a $2 “across-the-board” wager (win, place and show) on selections for three designated races on each program.

However, to continue in the game, entrants have to “survive” by finishing in-the-money (first through third) with at least one of their selections each day. Failing to do so or not making selections knocks the player out of the game. To aid in the player’s survival, a “lucky horseshoe” is given. The lucky horseshoe is a “free pass” given to all Challenge participants that allows the player to survive if he does not make selections for a race card or if all three of his selections fail to hit the board.

What the players are shooting for:

The grand prize is $750 plus a Breeders Crown Night at the Races package
The second-place prize is $500 plus Meadowlands swag
The third-place prize is $250 plus Meadowlands swag
Most Winners selected: $200 plus Meadowlands swag
Highest monthly bankroll (May, June, July): $100 plus Meadowlands swag

The free contest is open to legal residents of the United States and Canada who are 18 years of age or older, and all selections must be made through the format provided on the Survival Challenge website page. No selections will be accepted by phone, fax, e-mail or any other means. TrackMaster Platinum past performances for the three designated races will be provided through the game board.

The deadline for selections each day is 30 minutes before the 6:20 p.m. post time for the first race; 11:30 a.m. on Saturday (Aug. 3). After 30 minutes to post, all selections are final.

To login or to register as a first-time player, go here.

Horseplay Giveaway: When you come to The Meadowlands, you could make a score at the windows. Starting on Friday (May 3) you can also walk away with a brand new 2024 Toyota Camry LE AWD by participating in the track’s HorsePlay Giveaway, which takes place every race day until Friday (Aug. 2).

The HorsePlay Giveaway is sponsored by Purple Haze Stables.

For complete information, and to enter this extremely popular promotion, go here.

Derby Day Just One Week Away: One of the biggest days — if not the biggest — in the horse racing industry during any calendar year is fast approaching.

The Kentucky Derby is known as “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” and if you would like to be a part of horse racing’s biggest event, head to The Meadowlands on Saturday (May 4) and spend the day at the best place to watch and wager on the 150th “Run for the Roses.”

For further information, and to make reservations, go here.

Have A Beer On Derby Day: On Kentucky Derby Day, The Meadowlands will host its annual Beer Fest.

Though over 60 breweries and cideries are participating, the 15 participating New Jersey breweries are a true festival highlight.

The event will be held in the Backyard and on the East Apron and will open to the public at 4 p.m. for VIP admission. General admission begins at 5 p.m. and is available in advance for $45 or at the door for $50. The VIP ticket is $65 and includes an additional hour of sampling, exclusive VIP Tent beer samplings, and food.

For complete information, and to purchase tickets, go here.

Free Programs Every Night: Past performances for every race of every Meadowlands card are available free of charge. All one has to do is go to playmeadowlands.com to access the information.

“X” Marks The Spot: Everything Meadowlands is available by going on X (formerly known as Twitter). 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 team of Jessica Otten (@JessicaOtten1), Dave Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Ken Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).

Witherite’s Race Reviews: Race reviews and selections by The Meadowlands’ morning-line oddsmaker and program analyst James Witherite are available 48 hours before a given race card. To access, simply go to playmeadowlands.com, go to the “handicapping” tab, then click “race reviews.”