Lately at The Meadowlands, you can expect the unexpected ...
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- August 14, 2025 -- Lately at The Meadowlands, you can expect the unexpected.
First of all, there is normally no live racing after the Hambletonian, but the Big M resumed action last week the Friday (Aug. 8) after the 100th edition of the Hambo, with the first of six weeks of harness action that will go until Saturday, Sept. 13.
In addition, this week – and next – there will only be one day of racing to accommodate the large crowds anticipated for preseason football at MetLife Stadium, so this week, racing will be conducted on Friday (Aug. 15) and go dark on Saturday (Aug. 16), before next week finds no racing on Friday, Aug. 22, and then live action resuming on Saturday, Aug. 23. Post time is the normal 6:20 p.m.
Confused? Don’t worry about it. Just remember to be at the mile oval this Friday night for a special betting opportunity.
Last Saturday (Aug. 9), the Late 50-cent Pick-4 sequence was won by horses at odds of 6-1, 42-1, 7-1 and 6-1, which resulted in the first 50-cent Pick-4 carryover of 2025.
There will be $26,408 in the hat before betting begins on the Big M’s most-popular puzzle on Friday night’s 10th race.
With the carryover not subject to the already low 15 percent takeout, the action figures to be fast and furious.
For example(s):
· Were $100,000 in “new money” put in play, that would create a total pool of $111,408, which means a return to players with winning tickets of 111 percent
· Were $150,000 in “new money” put in play, that would create a total pool of $153,908, which means a return to players with winning tickets of 102 percent
· Were $200,000 in “new money” put in play, that would create a total pool of $196,408, which means a return to players with winning tickets of 98 percent
“These are the types of opportunities our players love,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “Whenever you combine our low-takeout multi-leg wagers with a carryover, it creates a lot of excitement, especially in the Pick-4, which does not see carryovers very often.”
ANOTHER CARRYOVER? Yes, indeed, the Pick-4 is not the only carryover on Friday’s program.
The 20-cent Pick-6, which began with a 6-5 shot and a 10-1 chance before the Pick-4 races completed the sequence last week, will offer a $4,028 carryover when the bet begins on race eight.
WHAT? THEY’RE FREE? Hit the Pick-4 and the Pick-6 and don’t pay one penny for the information needed to make those scores.
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.
FOR CLARITY, THE SCHEDULE: In a departure of what usually takes place after Hambletonian Day, racing will continue at The Big M on a Friday-Saturday basis through Sept. 13. Post time will be the normal 6:20 p.m.
There will be two exceptions. Due to preseason football at MetLife Stadium, there will be no live action on Saturday (Aug. 16) and Friday, Aug. 22.
WHO ARE THESE GUYS? They’ll be new faces and voices broadcasting the action Friday night.
Dave Little is back on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set and will be the host. He will sit alongside co-host Anthony Stabile, a longtime Thoroughbred and Standardbred commentator who called the Big M card last Friday.
On the microphone from the best seat in the house will be harness driver, owner, commentator and voice of Oak Grove Racing Peter Kleinhans, who has been the full-time announcer at a handful of tracks during his career.
Joe Romanelli, the former track announcer at Freehold Raceway and the current voice of the qualifiers and baby races at The Big M, will be handling interviews from the back paddock as well as providing commentary and selections on the FanDuel Television (FDTV) feed.
ROUND EIGHT IS UP NEXT: The eighth edition of the 2025 Meadowlands Monthly Handicapping Contest takes place on Saturday, Aug. 30, and offers players a chance to win a share of $1,000 in prize money.
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, August 30
· Saturday, October 25
· Friday, November 21
· The $10,000 invitation-only final is on Saturday, December 13
Previous players that have qualified for the December contest are Nick 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); and Fossli and Montemurro (July).
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.
BIG M GOES NATIONAL: For a fifth consecutive year, the TV teams at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and The Meadowlands are combining forces to bring high-caliber harness racing stakes events to a coast-to-coast audience over the networks of FOX Sports as part of NYRA’s “America’s Day at the Races” telecasts.
The next broadcast will be Friday, Sept. 5, when the New Jersey Classic Series finals take center stage.
Here is the schedule for the remaining FOX Sports shows, with the event(s) that will be featured and the time the show will be broadcast. Which FOX network the show can be found on – Fox 5 New York (locally), FS1 or FS2 – will be determined:
· September 5 – New Jersey Classic Series finals, 8-11 p.m., TBA
· November 1 – Kindergarten finals, 8-11 p.m., TBA
· November 15 – Fall Final Four, 8-11 p.m., TBA
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 what will be offered on Friday:
· 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 15: 10-cent non-jackpot Pentafecta (Hi-5)
SOCIALLY SUPERIOR: 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).
A GREAT NIGHT OUT: Looking to book a corporate event or private party? The Meadowlands has unlimited event possibilities. The redesigned Gallery with multiple TVs, private bar and balcony overlooking the FanDuel Sportsbook is perfect for game days, watch parties and more.
To book your private party, email alokshin@playmeadowlands.com.
FANDUEL IS NO. 1: Meadowlands regulars know that if they want action on professional sports, all they have to do is head for the FanDuel Sportsbook, which is the No. 1 facility of its kind in all of North America.
It couldn’t be easier to access, as it’s 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.
On Thursday (Aug. 14), the New York Mets host the Atlanta Braves in a 7:10 p.m. game at CitiField.
The Amazin’s are -196 in the game that has an under/over of 8½ runs.
How about some home run prop bets? Juan Soto, who homered Wednesday night, is +260 to hit one in the seats. Pete Alonso, now the all-time Mets home run king, hit a pair on Tuesday. If you think the Polar Bear is going to go deep, the odds are +300.
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.
