East Rutherford, NJ — After a four-week break, live harness racing returns to The Meadowlands on Saturday (Oct. 18).
In fact, this weekend will be split between “the runners” and “the trotters” as the final evening of the “Monmouth at The Meadowlands” Thoroughbred turf meeting takes place on Friday (Oct. 17) before the trotters and pacers get back on the track the next night.
The Thoroughbred program begins at 7 p.m., while the Standardbreds begin at 6:20 p.m.
There are 27 harness programs remaining on The Big M schedule for 2025. Live action will take place every Friday and Saturday, effective Oct. 24, through the end of the year. In addition, six Thursdays have been added to the schedule. Those dates are Nov. 6, 13 and 20 and Dec. 4, 11 and 18.
SUPERB SIMULCASTS: Woodbine Mohawk Park will have many a harness eye on them for the next two weeks. And many of those eyes will be staring at monitors in The Meadowlands expansive simulcast area.
Big M regulars will get to see the Breeders Crown over those four race cards, with eliminations to go on Friday (Oct. 17) and Saturday (Oct. 18), and finals to be contested on Friday, Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 25.
Post time at Mohawk is 6:35 p.m.
The star attraction on Friday night is Beau Jangles, a Dr. Ian Moore trainee who is 10-for-10 in 2025. He will depart from post two in the ninth race with driver Bob McClure in the second elimination for 2-year-old pacing colts.
On Saturday, there are a handful names on the entry sheet on the tip of harness fans’ tongues, starting with Yo Tillie, the Andrew Harris trainee who is 9-for-10 this year. Her only loss came in her last start when second to Delaney Hanover in the Bluegrass at The Red Mile. She’ll be favored in the second of two elims for 3-year-old trotting fillies in race six.
The performer who is the current leader in the race for Horse of the Year is Louprint, who will look to stay perfect in 11 seasonal starts in the second of two elims for 3-year-old pacing males in race seven for trainer Ron Burke and driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. Louprint put up his lifetime best of 1:46.3 on Oct. 5 at The Red Mile in the Tattersalls. Not surprisingly, that time is the fastest of 2025 in the sport.
Finally, in the lone open trot elim in race eight, the red-hot Lexus Kody, another Burke trainee, is the one to beat. His seasonal bankroll of $1.07 million is the fattest in the game. His last four wins have all come in stakes events: the Maple Leaf Trot, International Trot, Caesars Trotting Classic (dead heat with Periculum) and Dayton Trotting Derby. Yannick Gingras is the regular driver of the son of Archangel-Lexus Helios. His 1:49.1 clocking in the Aug. 30 Maple Leaf was not only the fastest of the season on the trot in North America, it was also the best time ever recorded in the history of Canadian harness racing.
GRILL ME SOME STAKES: When the leaves turn brown and temperatures turn chilly, that’s normally a time when big-time harness racing events go into hibernation.
Not so at The Meadowlands, as the mile track still has a pair of huge nights left on the 2025 calendar.
First up will be four Kindergarten Series finals that go for purses totaling $500,000 (gtd.). The races, which take place on Saturday, Nov. 1, are for 2-year-olds of each sex and gait.
Two weeks later, on Saturday, Nov. 15, will be the final big night of the year at The Big M – and the entire sport – as an estimated $2.65 million in purses will be on the line on Fall Final Four/FanDuel Championships Night.
The events are:
· $400,000 Governor’s Cup (2-year-old colt and gelding pace)
· $400,000 Three Diamonds (2-year-old filly pace)
· $400,000 Valley Victory (2-year-old colt and gelding trot)
· $400,000 Goldsmith Maid (2-year-old filly trot)
· $350,000 FanDuel Open Pace
· $350,000 FanDuel Open Trot
· $175,000 FanDuel Open Mare Pace
· $175,000 FanDuel Open Mare Trot
WHO’S DOING THE SHOW? This Saturday, Ken Warkentin and Dave Little will be in their normal spots, serving as track announcer and TV host, respectively.
Joe Romanelli will handle interviews from the back paddock, while Mike Bozich, the track announcer at Harrah’s Philadelphia, will sit alongside Little and serve as co-host of the simulcast presentation.
CORGIS TO DRINK FROM THE CUP: The Meadowlands’ first-ever Corgi Cup, which was postponed due to bad weather on Saturday (Sept. 6), will take place on Saturday (Oct. 18).
This family friendly event features Corgis competing at the track between the live harness races. It’s a night of fun, laughs, music, doggies and harness racing.
Special thanks to Spot & Tango – an innovative pet wellness brand on a mission to revolutionize the dog food industry. They will provide our contestants with some free UnKibble dog food samples and free poop bags.
In addition to the pooch activity, fans can enjoy a variety of activities. They can party with DJ Alx, indulge in great food and cocktails from the track’s Backyard BBQ & Grill, along with homemade ice cream from Clyde’s, visit the Doggieroadtrippin booth and grab some dog treats from Groomington Eats – the best dog-treat food truck around.
Backyard doors open at 5 p.m., with the first dog race at 6 p.m.
A GREAT WAY TO PLAY: Every night, The Meadowlands offers a marvelous menu of popular wagers that offer a low 15 percent takeout.
Here is the rundown of what will be offered Saturday:
· Races 1-5: 20-cent Pick-5
· Races 3-9: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 (mandatory payout nightly)
· Races 6-9: Early 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
· Races 8-13: 20-cent Pick-6
· Races 10-13: Late 50-cent Pick 4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
· Race 15: 10-cent non-jackpot Pentafecta (Hi-5)
GET YOUR FREE PROGRAMS: 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 “news” dropdown to get the past performances at absolutely no cost.
A SOCIAL SETTING: 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 talent duo of Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).
IT’S PARTY TIME: It’s that time of year to celebrate the holidays, and a great place to enjoy a great time is The Meadowlands.
Discover the unique event spaces at The Big M, perfect for hosting your corporate holiday parties, game-day watch parties and year-end celebrations. Our venue offers a one-of-a-kind experience that you won’t find anywhere else.
Event spaces are complemented by a diverse range of beverage and dining options, ensuring that your holiday event is perfectly catered to your preferences.
Indulge in the luxury of the Skybox Suites, which are private rooms that offer both stadium-style and table seating options. With moveable walls, parties of up to 200 people can enjoy buffet dining and unobstructed views of the racing action, making your event truly special.
Trackside, situated on the ground floor of the track, offers an expansive area ideal for galas, receptions, large corporate events and trade shows.
The Gallery has 16 LED screens and one 220” jumbo screen. It is furnished with a private bar, lounge and table seating and overlooks the FanDuel Sportsbook. The Gallery is ideal for alumni watch parties and game-day gatherings.
The second-floor Lounge offers the best of both worlds – it is ideal for viewing live racing action and enjoying prime viewing of the sportsbook’s huge HD TVs. With its horseshoe-shaped bar and a mix of lounge, high tops and seated dining, it’s a versatile location perfect for a holiday mixer or cocktail hour, accommodating a variety of event styles.
Book a private tour today with Andrea Lokshin by emailing her at alokshin@playmeadowlands.com or give her a call at 201-842-5013. You can also view our spaces and take a 360-degree tour by visiting https://playmeadowlands.com/party/.
BET FOOTBALL IN FANDUEL: Week 7 of the National Football League season kicks off this week, and fans of The Meadowlands, who not only love betting on harness racing, but also wagering on football as well, know that if they want action, all they have to do is head for the FanDuel Sportsbook, which is the No. 1 facility of its kind in North America.
It couldn’t be easier to access, as it’s located inside the grandstand at The Big M.
The book has massive TV screens and self-service betting terminals, which enable fans to watch and wager in comfort while having some great food and drink.
The NFL action begins Thursday (Oct. 16) when Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers head to Cincinnati for a matchup with the Bengals. The game begins at 8:15 p.m. and the Steelers are a 5½-point favorite in the game that has an under/over of 44½ points.
On Sunday (Oct. 19), the winless New York Jets welcome the Carolina Panthers to MetLife Stadium for a 1 p.m. tilt. The Panthers are a 1½-point favorite in the game that has an under/over of 42½.
At 4 p.m., the New York Giants, fresh off a victory over the World Champion Philadelphia Eagles, travel to Denver to take on the Broncos. Denver is a 7-point favorite in the game that has an under/over of 40½.
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.