East Rutherford, NJ — Friday (Jan. 24) night’s fifth race might look ordinary to those who follow racing at The Meadowlands on a regular basis, but the man it honors was anything but ordinary.
The $10,000 claiming pace pays tribute to slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who undoubtedly would have loved the fact that the mile dash in his honor is a mixed-race event that will feature five African-American drivers.
The MLK Day holiday was Jan. 20, five days after what would have been King’s 96th birthday.
King wanted a world where people of all races would get along, and one of the many of his quotes that carried enormous impact was: “We must learn to live together as brothers or we will die together as fools.”
The African-American quintet of Jim King Solomon, DeShawn Sample, Yogi Sheridan, William Carter and Brandon Cruse will take on Bradley Chisholm, Justin Irvine, Justin Huckabone, Tyler Miller and Braxten Boyd in the $11,000 race that has been dubbed the “Martin Luther King Remembrance Race.”
“All of us at The Meadowlands are so pleased to be having this event that recognizes one of the most important figures in American history,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “Dr. King’s beliefs, along with his ability to motivate people to protest peacefully, went a long way toward advancing the rights of African-Americans both back in the 1960s, as well as today, when his legacy continues to live on.”
THE SCHEDULE: During the month of January, live racing will be conducted every Friday and Saturday with a first-race post-time of 6:20 p.m.
CHECK OUT THE SHOW: On live race nights, check out the live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pregame show at 5:45 p.m. when track announcer Ken Warkentin opens up the mic with a scene set and program changes before the team of Jessica Otten and Dave Little take over from the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set with news, notes, selections and a look at the night’s featured races.
Jenna Otten, the TV analyst and handicapper from Ohio’s Scioto Downs, will be in town handling back paddock interviews this weekend as well as serving as commentator for FanDuel Television’s Big M feed.
IT FINALLY HAPPENED: Something took place at The Meadowlands Saturday (Jan. 18) that had never happened before.
In the second race, Stone Cold Savage ($5.40 to win), Woodrow F Call ($4.40) and Spirit Of Truth ($42.60) hit the wire together in 1:54 in the TrackMaster 74.5 for pacers, and when the judges could not separate the trio, the result was the first triple dead heat for win in Meadowlands history.
It was nearly a quadruple dead heat as a fast-closing Urban Renewal finished just 21/100ths of a second behind the three winners.
It was a long time coming. The Meadowlands opened for business in September 1976.
ATTA BOYD: Boyd had the hottest hands in the driver colony on Friday (Jan. 17) by registering five victories on the card. Only one of the 24-year-old’s winners went off as the post-time favorite as his victorious horses ended up at odds of 5-2, 7-2, 9-2, 8-5 (favorite) and 2-1.
WINNERS FROM THE BOOTH: Warkentin is a Hall of Fame announcer. And he’s a pretty good handicapper as well.
Friday (Jan. 17) night, Warkentin was on fire, selecting seven winners on top. His best bet, Finite ($2.40 to win), was victorious as was his value play, 5-1 chance Pattycake Mooss ($12.00). The man with the binoculars tabbed the Early Daily Double, plus four cold exactas, one of which returned $51 (in race six) and another that paid $45.60 (race 13).
FREE PPs: 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 to get the past performances at absolutely no cost.
THE BILL OF FARE: Every night, The Meadowlands offers a marvelous menu of popular wagers that offer a low 15 percent takeout.
They are:
20-cent Pick-5: Races 1-5
20-cent Survivor Pick-7: Races 3-9 (mandatory payout nightly)
50-cent Pick-4: Races 6-9 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
20-cent Pick-6: Races 8-13
50-cent Pick 4: Races 10-13 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
10-cent non-jackpot Pentafecta (Hi-5): Race 14
TIME TO GET SOCIAL: Everything Meadowlands is 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 team of Otten (@JessicaOtten1), Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).
A GRAND NIGHT: Nick Montemurro and Gary Scogna were the big winners in the first of The Big M’s monthly $1,000 handicapping contests on Friday (Jan. 17).
Montemurro and Scogna actually took the top four spots. Montemurro was first and third, finishing with $361 and $247, respectively, while Scogna ended up with $284.36 and $241.05, respectively.
By finishing in the top two, the duo qualified for the $10,000 contest that will be held in December.
The next $1,000 contest takes place on Friday (Feb. 14). For more information, and to enter, go here.
CHILI COOK-OFF: One of The Meadowlands’ more popular promotions is the Chili Cook-Off, and the winter edition of the tasty treat takes place on Saturday (Feb. 1).
There will be prizes for Homestyle Chili, Red Chili, People’s Choice Chili, Best Booth and Salsa.
If you are a cook, come on out and see how your skills in the kitchen stack up against everybody else’s in the contest. Not a cook? Come and get yourself some free samples all night long.
For complete information, and how to enter, go here.