by Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

East Rutherford, NJ — If you think you have to bet big or be part of a syndicate to rake the pot in the Meadowlands’ new 20-cent Survivor Pick-10 wager, you’ve got it all wrong.

The early returns are in on the Big M’s challenging new bet, and not only is it popular, but the results prove that a small player can hit a nice ticket if they can survive and advance.

“Thus far (through nine days),” said Meadowlands chief operating officer and general manager Jason Settlemoir, “the average winning ticket paid $6,552 with an average ticket cost of $80.82. One of our sharp patrons hit a winning ticket when he or she invested only 80 cents.”

The wager calls for a handicapper to select the winner of the first race. If they do that, they advance to the second. Then the third, and so on until no “survivor” remains, with that patron or patrons taking home the cash.

Those looking to jump into the Pick-10 pool when racing resumes Thursday night have one less race to worry about as the nine-race program — as well as the Survivor Pick-9 — gets underway at 7:15 p.m.

Through the end of December, the Big M will race Thursday through Saturday. Post time is 7:15 p.m.