East Rutherford, NJ – The Meadowlands Monthly Handicapping Contest is one of the best competitions of its kind, with 10 monthly tests offering $1,000 in prize money. But the best part of the 10-part challenge might be the crescendo, which takes place this Saturday (Dec. 13).
That’s when the top two finishers from each of the “preliminaries” will return for a limited-invitation, 20-entry tussle, when the total prize pool will improve tenfold, to $10,000.
It’s unclear if Nick Montemurro likes to play poker, but even if he doesn’t, he is no doubt aware that he heads into Saturday with the strongest hand at the table.
Montemurro will have four entries in the finale. Four of a kind is a hand that would be the envy of any poker player.
The player with the highest bankroll at the end of the night will collect the first prize of $5,000. Second- through fifth-place finishers will cash in for $2,000, $1,500, $1,000 and $500, respectively.
“I’m surprised more people don’t do it,” said Montemurro of the contest that has no entry fee. All one has to do is purchase a $100 betting card so their action can be tracked. They keep whatever is left on the card. “If you’re going out to the track and you’re going to blow $100, you might as well get a card.
“It’s the same cast of characters, and I’m a multiple-entry guy,” said Montemurro of the competition that has core players who participate just about every month. “That’s an unfair advantage, but anybody can do it. I saw a guy a couple of weeks ago who had eight entries. Compared to some other contests, the Meadowlands contest is good because you can make any wager that’s offered on the card.”
Montemurro, 67, has been coming to The Big M since its 1976 opening and hasn’t changed his ways much over nearly five decades.
“Pretty much I play the same way in the contest as I do when I am just playing for fun,” said Montemurro. “You don’t have to change your betting methods. I’m not really a gimmick guy, I’m a win, place and show guy.”
So, how did you get four entries in the final?
“Luck,” said Montemurro. “It really is. Everything is timing. In the last race, if a $40 horse wins, and I have just $20 left, I might have that horse. The multiple entries are the key. And I don’t usually don’t play chalk all that much.
“I have no game plan for Saturday. I’m going to wing it. You have to see how everything is going.”
Montemurro likes the fact that the top five will walk away with money at the end of the night. “If I sneak into fifth place and get $500, I’ll be very happy. I’ve been doing these contests for pretty much as long as they’ve had them.”
Sean Loebs won the November “qualifier” and also had a top-two finish in March, so he will have two entries Saturday. Joining Loebs with a pair of entries are Gary Scogna, Karen Fossli and Robert Glaser.
The complete list of players who will be vying for the big prize are (there was no contest in September) Montemurro and Scogna (the top two from January); Michael Grasso and Montemurro (February); Loebs and Joe Barre (March); Glaser and Jim Bohnarczyk (April); Fossli and Russ Slader (May); Del Kern and Scogna (June); Fossli and Montemurro (July); Emile Issa and Montemurro (August); Rich Preziotti and Glaser (October); and Loebs and William Meisel (November).
BECKWITH BESTS HERSCHBERGER’S MARK: During the last week of November, driver Mark Herschberger piloted 10 horses to the winner’s circle, becoming the first driver in 2025 to win that many races over one weekend of racing at The Meadowlands.
It didn’t take Brett Beckwith long to better that mark.
Beckwith, the 22-year-old leading driver at The Big M, made 11 jaunts down victory lane the very next week (Dec. 4-6), to establish a new high for wins in one weekend.
Whose weekend was better is up for debate.
Herschberger’s 10 winners came over a two-card span, as there was no racing on Thursday (Thanksgiving Day), while Beckwith’s 11-pack came when there was racing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
THE SCHEDULE: Live action will continue at The Meadowlands on a three-day-a-week basis for the month of December.
Racing will take place every Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m. (EST).
There will be one exception. There will be no live racing on Christmas Day, Thursday, Dec. 25.
WHO’S ON THE SHOW? John Rallis, who divides his on-camera time between The Big M and Woodbine Mohawk Park when not serving as an editor and columnist at TROT Magazine, will be appearing on The Big M’s live simulcast show all three days of the upcoming race week.
Rallis, one of the top handicappers in the game, will be in the co-host chair alongside Dave Little on Thursday and Friday, before shifting to the host’s seat on Saturday, when Mike Bozich, the track announcer at Harrah’s Philadelphia, will be on hand serving as co-host.
Track announcer Ken Warkentin and back paddock interviewer/FanDuel Television (FDTV) analyst Joe Romanelli will handle their usual duties for all three programs.
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 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 when these wagers will be offered on Thursday’s 12-race program:
· Races 1-5: 20-cent Pick-5
· Races 3-9: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 (mandatory payout nightly)
· Races 5-8: Early 50-cent Pick-4
· Races 7-12: 20-cent Pick-6
· Races 9-12: Late 50-cent Pick 4
· Race 12: 10-cent non-jackpot Pentafecta (Hi-5)
Here is the rundown of when these wagers will be offered on the Friday and Saturday 14-race programs this weekend:
· 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 14: 10-cent non-jackpot Pentafecta (Hi-5)
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).
MAKE THE SEASON BRIGHT: It doesn’t take all that much money to make Christmas special for a child in need, and if you’d like to make a kid smile this holiday, participate in the Big M’s Toys for Tots collection drive.
All are welcome to donate new, unwrapped toys for kids in need through Friday (Dec. 12).
Former New York Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa will host the U.S. Marine Toys for Tots annual holiday toy drive reception on Friday (Dec. 12). Enunwa will meet and greet guests who help out to make the season bright for children in need.
The Marines and Enunwa will personally deliver the collected toys on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at noon to children at SBH Health System — a safety net hospital in the Bronx.
For additional information, please visit: www.SBHNY.org.
PARTY ON: 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 at a venue that 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.
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/.
FOOTBALL IN FANDUEL: Meadowlands regulars who love to plunk down a bet or two on the National Football League, 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 Meadowlands. 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.