East Rutherford, NJ — Live classic rock and a much-anticipated 20-cent Pick-6 are both well worth the trip to The Meadowlands this weekend. The top venue in the sport will host 14-race programs this Friday (April 12) and Saturday (April 13). Each has a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m.

On Friday, Pick-6 players will undoubtedly jump into the pool early and often, with the multi-leg puzzler offering a carryover of $8,332.

The return to bettors in scenarios such as these are extremely attractive. The amount of “new money” figures to be approximately $30,000. When you deduct the low 15 percent takeout, that leaves $25,500. Then, you would add the carryover, which is not subject to the tariff, to give you a grand total of $33,832. What’s then created is a “negative takeout,” which means that as long as the bet is hit, the money paid to those with winning tickets will be 113 percent, instead of the normal 85.

That’s a negative takeout. The players actually get more back than what’s wagered.

“It’s for this reason that our customers like to bet into our pools,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “The carryovers — even when on the modest side — still create a chance for a big score. In fact, we will have a second carryover on Friday’s card, as our 20-cent Pick-8 will begin with $2,873.”

The Pick-8 begins in race four while the Pick-6 kicks off in the eighth.

How about a night at the track that includes the best of classic rock performed by a great band live?

That’s what’s in store for those who go to The Big M on Saturday when The Past Masters, featuring the track’s own photographer Michael Lisa on drums, make their triumphant return.

Come and enjoy live music, live racing and food and drink specials.

The show takes place in Trackside and begins at 7 p.m.

It is free to attend.

Super Survivor: Who needs a carryover?

It only took four winning selections last Saturday (April 6) for one shrewd 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 player to cash in for a healthy $8,365.62. The third leg of the sequence was won by a 36-1 shot. Of the other six winners, the longest price was 9-2.

Handle Rolls On: All-source handle last Saturday totaled $3,222,120, the 23rd time that betting has surpassed the $3 million mark from 27 programs this year.

Free Programs Every Night: Past performances for every race of every Meadowlands card are available free of charge. All one has to do is go to playmeadowlands.com to access the information.

“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.”

Not Your Average Joe: With a big score in the last race, Joe Bohnarczyk walked away with the $2,000 grand prize after winning the track’s $5,000 live-money handicapping contest last Saturday.

Those finishing in the top five cashed.

Bohnarczyk saved his best — and only — hit for last, connecting in the 14th dash with a $6 win ticket on Ferragamo Hanover (who paid $30.60) and a $10 exacta 1-2 ($211.20). His final bankroll was $1,147.80.

“Thanks to everyone that participated in our live tournament,” said Settlemoir. “It was great to see our tournament players on track, and their presence created an electric atmosphere.”

The Schedule: Live racing continues at The Meadowlands on Friday and Saturday nights. Post time is 6:20 p.m.

This weekend, John Rallis will be back in town. He will sit alongside Otten on Friday night on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set before heading for the back paddock on Saturday, where he will handle driver interviews and provide the analysis to a national television audience on FanDuel TV.

It Was Better Than A Hat Trick: It came as a surprise to no one that last Saturday’s “Hockey Night at The Meadowlands,” sponsored by Peter Grandich, was wildly successful.

Fans were able to meet, take photographs and get autographs from two-time Stanley Cup Champion — one of those with the New Jersey Devils — Grant Marshall, Philadelphia Flyers fan favorite Chris Therien and New York Rangers great Ron Greschner.

Derby Day Just Three Weeks Away: The Kentucky Derby is known as “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” and if you would like to be a part of horse racing’s biggest event, head to The Meadowlands on Saturday (May 4) and spend the day at the best place to watch and wager on the 150th “Run for the Roses.”

Click here for complete details.