East Rutherford, NJ — This weekend, racing at The Meadowlands will kick off the 2024 racing calendar with programs slated for Friday (Jan. 5) and Saturday (Jan. 6), but live action merely scratches the surface of things to do at The Big M, with contests, giveaways and other opportunities to get wagers down.

Not to mention promotions sure to please a wide variety of track patrons.

Friday will mark the start of the track’s Winter Meet Survival Challenge, powered by 123Racing, which offers cash prizes and Meadowlands swag in the free online competition.

TrackMaster will provide Platinum Past Performances for each night of the contest. The game covers the winter meet and concludes March 30.

Those interested must register and make their first selections before 5:40 p.m. on Friday.

The winner is determined by the highest total bankroll at the end of the Challenge based on a $2 across-the-board wager on selections for three designated races on each program.

However, to continue in the game, entrants have to “survive” by finishing in-the-money with at least one of their selections each day. Failing to do so or not making selections knocks the player out of the game.

To aid in the player’s survival, a “lucky horseshoe” is given. The lucky horseshoe is a “free pass” given to all Challenge participants that allows the player to survive if he does not make selections for a race card or all three of his selections fail to hit the board.

The prize board:

The grand prize is $750 plus a Meadowlands swag package
The second-place prize is $500 plus a Meadowlands swag package
The third-place prize is $250 plus a Meadowlands swag package
Most Winners: $200 plus a Meadowlands swag package
Highest monthly bankroll: $100 (one winner in each month – January, February, March)

For more information, and to enter, go here.

Circle The Date: When it comes to giveaways, this one might be the most popular The Big M offers.

On Saturday (Jan. 6), the first 500 guests will receive a 2024 commemorative calendar, filled with images of the sport’s greatest horses and drivers in action from the 2023 racing season.

Photos are courtesy of Big M track photographer Lisa Photo, DRF Harness’ Nikki Sherman, Walter Wlodarczyk and Jessica Hallett.

The giveaway begins at 6 p.m. at the Players Club Desk in the Clubhouse Lobby. One per person.

Hit Big At The Big M: “Bet a little and win a lot.”

That’s not just a saying at The Meadowlands.

The proof? How about Friday’s (Dec. 29) card when the 20-cent Pick-5 returned $56,617; the second race 10-cent Superfecta $4,815.13; and second race $2 trifecta $12,538.00.

While not quite yet the carryover that led to a total pool of over $150,000 on Dec. 23, this Friday’s 20-cent Pick-8 carryover stands at $2,942. By the way, winning tickets sold on the Dec. 23 Pick-8 returned almost $13,000.

Did You Say Free? Free past performances for every race of every Meadowlands card are available by going to playmeadowlands.com.

The Sked: Racing will be conducted every Friday and Saturday throughout January with a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m.

The Return Of The Otten Sisters: Jenna Otten will be back in town this weekend working on the live Big M TV broadcasts.

On Friday, she’ll sit alongside sister Jessica on the Sam McKee Memorial Set before heading to the back paddock on Saturday where she’ll handle interviews, as well as commentary for FanDuel TV.

The live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pregame show kicks off every live racing night at 5:45 p.m.

“X” Marks The Spot: Everything Meadowlands is available by going on X (formerly known as Twitter). 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 Jessica Otten (@JessicaOtten1), Dave Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Ken Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).

The Great Eight: The Meadowlands provides eight opportunities for the player to make a score trying their luck betting in pools with a low 15 percent takeout. The lineup of The Big M’s “Great Eight” is as follows (all wagers — with the exception of the Pick-7 — are carryover eligible):

Race 1: 20-cent Pick-5
Race 2: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7
Race 4: 20-cent Pick-8
Race 6: 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guarantee)
Race 7: 20-cent High-5
Race 8: 20-cent Pick-6
Race 10: 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guarantee)
Race 11: 20-cent High-5

Witherite’s Race Reviews: Race reviews and selections by The Meadowlands’ morning-line oddsmaker and program analyst James Witherite are available 48 hours before a given race card. To access, simply go to playmeadowlands.com, go to the “handicapping” tab, then click “race reviews.”

Eat And Learn: On Saturday (Jan. 20), enjoy a tour of flavors found across all of Asia in a five-course dinner that features a cocktail paired to each course.

Plus, enjoy a “Sports Betting 101” tutorial with Emily West. West is the midday host on The New 102.7 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. She will talk about football, wagering basics and give out some tips for the night’s live harness racing.

The cost of $69.95 per person includes a live racing program as well as a $10 betting voucher. This offer is for those who are 21-years-of-age or older.

For more information, go here.