East Rutherford, NJ — It’s been five weeks since the Meadowlands has conducted harness racing on a Friday night, and for those who are frequent Friday flyers, when racing takes place this Friday (Oct. 24), they will have a large pot of gold to shoot for.
The 20-cent Pick-6 failed to yield a winning ticket on both the last day before the break (Sept. 13) as well as the first day after (Oct. 18), creating a double carryover of $11,126.
With five figures sitting in the hat not subject to the already low 15% takeout, the action figures to be fast and furious.
Here’s why.
Take Feb. 1, for instance. That’s when the only other double Pick-6 carryover of the year resulted in over $100,000 of “new money” crammed into a pool that totaled $128,543.
The mathematics for what could await players on Friday is impressive.
If $74,000 of new money were bet into the Pick-6, that would create a total pool of $74,026. Thus, instead of a return of the normal 85 cents on the dollar to players, the payback would be 100 cents on the dollar to those holding winning tickets.
“Our fan base always gets excited when these opportunities come along,” said Big M chief operating officer and general manager Jason Settlemoir. “And, in the case of the Pick-6, this is only the second double carryover of the year, so our fans figure to take advantage of the chance to make a big score. Combine that with the Breeders Crown simulcast and our sport sbook offering fans a chance to watch and wager on the World Series, it should be a big night, and a big weekend, at the Meadowlands.”
The Pick-6 is offered nightly on races 8-13.
SEE MEADOW’S DEBUT: This Friday and Saturday, Ken Warkentin, Dave Little and Joe Romanelli will perform their usual roles, serving as track announcer, TV host and back-paddock interviewer, respectively.
But joining Little for both race cards will be a brand-new face to simulcast show viewers.
Meadow Twaddle, who currently works with the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Association and is the co-host of the podcast “Hot 2 Trot”, will co-host alongside Little on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set.
She also assists the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association with their marketing efforts.
Her father, Tim, is a veteran trainer, so “I’ve been involved with horses for as long as I can remember,” said Meadow.
The 23-year-old has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and marketing from Washington and Jefferson College. Her passion is making horse racing more accessible and exciting by sharing authentic, behind-the-scenes moments that highlight the people and heart of the sport, helping bring fans closer to the action.
“We are so happy to have Meadow on our broadcast,” said Settlemoir. “When trying to convince younger people to come out to the track and see what we have to offer, getting them to see someone closer to their own age on TV is always a good way to go. All of us at the Meadowlands are looking forward to having her be part of the show.”
THE SCHEDULE: There are 26 harness programs remaining on the Big M schedule for 2025. Live action will take place every Friday and Saturday 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.
Post time is 6:20 p.m.
SCINTILLATING SIMULCAST: Woodbine Mohawk Park will be the center of the harness racing universe this weekend as the 42nd edition of the Breeders Crown will be contested over the seven-eighths-mile oval this Friday and Saturday.
Post time is 6:35 p.m.
The four Crown events for 2-year-olds will be contested on Friday evening while all of the 3-year-old events, as well as the dashes for the older horses, will take place on Saturday.
If you are a loyal Meadowlands regular, the expansive simulcast area is the place to be as you can watch and wager on all 12 contests while you bet on live Meadowlands racing as well as making wagers on the World Series in the FanDuel Sportsbook.
SUPER SIMULCAST: One of the most popular simulcast events on the racing calendar takes place Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1, when $30 million in purses will be up for grabs when Thoroughbred racing’s Breeders’ Cup is in the spotlight at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, Calif.
Friday will have five events on a program that will kick off at 2:35 p.m. (EDT).
The Breeders’ Cup races, with their purses and post times, are as follows (all times EDT):
- $1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint, 5:45 p.m.
- $2 million Juvenile Fillies, 6:25 p.m.
- $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf, 7:05 p.m.
- $2 million Juvenile, 7:45 p.m.
- $1 million Juvenile Turf, 8:25 p.m.
Saturday’s program will begin at 1:05 p.m. (EDT)
The Breeders’ Cup races, with their purses and post times, are as follows (all times EDT):
- $1 million Filly & Mare Sprint, 3 p.m.
- $1 million Turf Sprint, 3:41 p.m.
- $2 million Sprint, 4:21 p.m.
• $2 million Distaff, 5:01 p.m. - $5 million Turf, 5:41 p.m.
- $7 million Classic, 6:25 p.m.
- $2 million Mile, 7:05 p.m.
- $1 million Dirt Mile, 7:45 p.m.
- $2 million Filly & Mare Turf, 8:25 p.m.
SIZZLING 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. 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
SHARPEN YOUR PENCILS: The ninth edition of the 2025 Meadowlands $1,000 Monthly Handicapping Contest takes place on Saturday (Oct. 25).
Nick Montemurro would like to have won the last time the contest was held on Aug. 30 (Emile Issa was the top dog), but it’s likely he’s good with his second-place finish.
He now has four top-two finishes, meaning he now has four entries in the year-end competition that takes place on Dec. 13. That big-money final has prize money totaling $10,000.
Contest format:
- Contestants must be on site to participate
- Contestants must buy a $100 betting card to participate
- Contestants must bet a minimum of five Meadowlands races
- There is no minimum or maximum bet per race
- Contestants can play any wager(s) on the Meadowlands’ live wagering menu
- Contestants keep all pari-mutuel winnings
- Contestants can enter as many times as they wish
- The top two finishers earn spots in the $10,000 end-of-the-year contest
Remaining contest schedule:
- Saturday, Oct. 25
- Friday, Nov. 21
- The $10,000 invitation-only final is on Saturday, Dec. 13
Previous players that have qualified for the December contest are Montemurro and Gary Scogna (the top two finishers from January); Michael Grasso and Montemurro (February); Sean Loebs and Joe Barre (March); Robert Glaser and Jim Bohnarczyk (April); Karen Fossli and Russ Slader (May); Del Kern and Scogna (June); Fossli and Montemurro (July); and Issa and Montemurro (August).
Complete contest rules and regulations can be found here.
To participate, players must be 18 years of age or older to wager on racing. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please get help at 1-800-GAMBLER.
A GREAT WAY TO PLAY: Every night, the Meadowlands offers a marvelous menu of popular wagers that offer a low 15% takeout.
Here is the rundown of what wagers will be offered:
- 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
- Races 8-13: 20-cent Pick-6
- Races 10-13: Late 50-cent Pick 4
- Race 14: 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/.
GET WORLD SERIOUS IN FANDUEL: The 2025 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays begins Friday night, and baseball fans can get their action on the best-of-seven competition that will crown Major League Baseball’s next champion in the No. 1 betting facility in North America, the FanDuel Sports Book, which is 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.
Game 1 of the series is in Toronto, but, not surprisingly, the defending World Series champion Dodgers are the favorite at -154 on the money line. The under/over is 7½ runs.
First pitch is 8 p.m.
Do you like prop bets? FanDuel has them!
To win the series, the Dodgers are -225 while the Jays are +188.
Do you think Shohei Ohtani will win the Most Valuable Player Award? You can get a bet down at +165. If you think the red-hot Vladimiri Guerrero Jr. will walk off with the trophy, you can get +600.
Whatever the sport, for the latest odds, go here.
The FanDuel Sports Book 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.