East Rutherford, NJ – The last of six Thursday race cards takes place at The Meadowlands this week (Dec. 18), and while much wasn’t expected at the start from these programs since the Big M was increasing its race week 50 percent, from two cards to three, the Exit 16W Series has impressed, bringing plenty of good, competitive action to racing fans.
This Thursday’s card is big on intrigue. And talent.
The first of four Exit 16W Pop Up Series finals takes place in race three when $32,500 is up for grabs in a division for 2- and 3-year-old pacing fillies.
She Stings is the 9-5 second choice from post one for the Big M’s red-hot leading driver Brett Beckwith. The 2-year-old is off a wire-to-wire win in 1:52.3 in the series’ final preliminary last week.
Luisa Hanover scored in her career debut in 1:53.3 two weeks ago for trainer Tony Alagna and has been installed as the 8-5 favorite for driver Jason Bartlett. The 2-year-old has drawn post five in what promises to be a great matchup.
Trotters who are winners of two but not more than four races take to the track in the fifth for $35,000, in what appears to be a three-way battle between Clear For Landing (5-2 on the morning-line, Beckwith driving), Benny J (3-1, Bartlett) and Bourbonista S (7-2, Johnathan Ahle).
Bourbonista S won one of the two final-leg splits a week ago in 1:54, taking down 4-5 favorite Benny J, while Clear For Landing won the other dash in 1:54.2.
The sixth race looks like another three-way melee when Big Ego (9-5, Braxten Boyd), Rider Hanover (2-1, Bartlett) and Doctor Arroganto (4-1, Beckwith) hook up in the $32,500 pace for 2- and 3-year-old colts and geldings.
Big Ego is after a three-race series sweep after taking each of the first two legs, in 1:55.3 and 1:52.2, respectively, with the first of the two a head win over Doctor Arroganto. Rider Hanover was second best in the 1:52.2 mile as the 3-5 public choice.
Finally, in the trot for winners of four but not more than seven races, arch-rivals A Real Legend and Hey Porter will go head-to-head in round three of their pairing.
A Real Legend (9-5, Bartlett), who was the winner of leg one in 1:53.4, will depart from post five, while Hey Porter (8-5, Beckwith), the winner of leg two in 1:52.4, has the six hole in the $37,500 dash. The duo were the first two under the wire in both races.
WHO’S ON THE SHOW? This weekend, there will be a different look and sound to the Big M’s live simulcast presentation.
On Thursday, Ken Warkentin will call the races as usual, but Harrah’s Philadelphia’s Mike Bozich will serve as host of the show that is seen nightly from the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set. His co-host will be Tioga Downs’ Andrew “Shades” Demsky.
Peter Kleinhans, who has served as the track announcer at numerous tracks throughout his career in racing, will be on the microphone Friday night while Warkentin plays host on set with Demsky in the co-host’s seat.
Saturday will find Bozich in the spot racing regulars know him for, calling the action, while Warkentin (host) and Demsky (co-host) will once again be on the desk.
Joe Romanelli will serve in his usual capacity for all three race cards, as back paddock interviewer and handicapper/analyst on the FanDuel Television (FDTV) feed.
SUPER SATURDAY: Stakes season might be over, but last Saturday (Dec. 13), Meadowlands fans were treated to a night that would complement any highlight reel looking back at 2025.
On the track, Beckwith became the first driver since 2021 to win seven races on a single Big M program. The 22-year-old pilot, one week after becoming the first to guide 11 horses to victory lane during a race week (Dec. 4-6), did it again from Dec. 11-13, and, in the process, padded his lead atop the Big M driver standings.
Beckwith now has 132 victories during 2025, which is 36 more than Mark Herschberger, who is second in the standings.
In the feature race, Odds On Wildfire took down Mad Max Hanover and Go Go Grasshopper as a 17-1 outsider in the $25,000 TrackMaster 90 pace, after making the lead at the three-eighths and going down the road from there in a lifetime-best 1:49.3.
Off the track, all eyes were on Romanelli’s selections, as “Joe Ro” correctly selected the winner of the first eight races.
He was gunning for the all-time record of 10, which is held by Warkentin and Dave Little, but settled for a nine-winner night after going one for the last six.
It’s not known if Romanelli had the best weekend of anyone ever, but in all likelihood, he did. He selected six winners on Thursday and four more on Friday, giving him 19 – out of a total of 40 races – over the three-day race week, for a cool win percentage of 47.5.
Finally, Sean Loebs finished with a bankroll of $430 to take down the $5,000 first prize in the final of the 2025 Meadowlands Monthly Handicapping Contest, which had a total prize pool of $10,000.
“My big hits came on the early races,” said Loebs. “I had a $20 double, a $5 Pick-5 and a $15 Pick-3, so I built up a bankroll early and held on.”
In the contest that was limited to 20 entries (the top two finishers from the 10 monthly preliminaries), Loebs had two, and felt that was key in his victory.
“I think it gave me more confidence,” said Loebs.
Finishing second and third were Joe Barre (bankroll $414; $2,000 in winnings) and Karen Fossli ($293.63, $1,500). Nick Montemurro, who had four entries in the contest, had the fourth- and fifth-place winning totals with $75 and $43.20, respectively, good for prize money of $1,000 and $500.
THE SCHEDULE: This weekend will be the last with Thursday racing, with live action taking place on Dec. 18, 19 and 20, with a first race post time of 6:20 p.m. (EST).
During the final weekend of 2025, racing will be conducted on Friday and Saturday evening (Dec. 26-27).
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).
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.