CONTEST ‘CAPPERS TO TACKLE NEW BETTING MENU AT BIG M
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- Juy 23, 2026 -- For the seventh time this year, patrons who think they have handicapping skills will go at it for $1,000 in cash prizes when Leg 7 of the popular Meadowlands Monthly Handicapping Contest takes place on Friday (July 24) night.
And when they do, they will be placing their wagers on an updated betting menu, one that will ring in the new as well as some of the old.
But first, the contest.
It’s important to finish at or near the top of the leaderboard, as the four players with the highest bankrolls at the end of the night will win some cash (on a $500-$250-$150-$100 basis), but only the top two finishers will earn spots in the $10,000 invitation-only contest final, which takes place on Saturday, Dec. 12.
Thus far this year, 12 entries have been earned for the year-end competition, those handicappers – with their contest totals – are:
· January: Del Kern ($934.01) and Stefan Ferrara ($840.76)
· February: Robert Glaser ($592.50) and Emile Issa ($500)
· March: Sean Loebs ($1,170.06) and Patrick O’Malley ($832)
· April: O’Malley ($554) and Ferrara ($380.20)
· May: John Skladany ($1,031.60) and James Molina ($800)
· June: Rodney Duncan ($822.20) and Skladany ($497.28)
2026 contest schedule:
· Leg 7 – Friday, July 24
· Leg 8 – Saturday, Aug. 22
· Leg 9 – Saturday, Sept. 5
· Leg 10 – Friday, Oct. 23
· Leg 11 – Saturday, Nov. 14
· Invitation-only $10,000 contest final: Saturday, Dec. 12
Each monthly contest will follow the same format:
· Contestants must bet a minimum of five Meadowlands races.
· No minimum or maximum bet per race.
· All wagers offered on The Meadowlands program are eligible for the contest.
· Contestants keep all pari-mutuel winnings.
· Unlimited entries per person.
There is no entry fee, but a $100 live-money bankroll is required for players, and the prize pool is guaranteed at $1,000, funded by The Meadowlands.
On the night of the contest, players must register/check-in at the Clubhouse Lobby by 6:35 p.m. A $100 betting card must be purchased to participate, as this is a live-money/wagering contest.
The top two finishers from each $1,000 contest earn spots in the $10,000 tournament final on December 12 (22 total players).
To register for the competition, go here.
Must be 18 or over to wager on racing. Gambling problem, dial 1-800-GAMBLER.
A NEW BETTING MENU: When racing resumes Friday, there will be some adjustments to the betting menu, and that menu will be in play for the foreseeable future. Two things that players are certain to notice is the absence of the second 20-cent Pick-5 – the one that’s offered on the first race is going nowhere – and back on the slate is the 20-cent Survivor Pick-7.
This is the new wagering menu:
· Races 1-5: 20-cent Pick-5
· Races 4-9: 20-cent Pick-6
· Races 6-9: 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
· Race 7: 10-cent Pentafecta (Hi-5)
· Races 8-14: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7
· Races 10-13: 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
· Races 11-12: $2 Daily Double
· Races 13-15: $3 Pick-3
· Races 14-15: $5 Late Double
· Race 15: 10-cent Pentafecta (Hi-5)
The two Pick-4s with guaranteed pools are offered in conjunction with the U.S. Trotting Association's Strategic Wagering Program.
The link is https://handicapping.ustrotting.com/
“We believe this gives us the most exciting wagering menu in the sport,” said Meadowlands Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “There are plenty of opportunities to make scores with the types of wagers that the players want.”
THE BIG DAY IS COMING: “I want to take this opportunity to remind all of our fans that the biggest day in Standardbred racing is almost here,” said Settlemoir. “We will have at least a dozen wagers on Hambletonian Day with a low 15 percent takeout. In addition, a national television audience will be watching the action on FOX Sports. Hambletonian Day is Aug. 8 and has a special post time of noon.”
GET YOUR HAMBO MERCH: Be ready for the 101st edition of The Hambletonian by getting some great Hambletonian merchandise.
The 2026 collection is now available, so check out some great hats, hoodies, tees and other apparel at www.hamboshop.com.
Any item you purchase comes with free shipping, so get busy, and get your Hambletonian merchandise before the big day!
If you prefer to buy your items in person, the merchandise will be available for purchase at The Meadowlands when the Hambletonian eliminations (Aug. 1) and final (Aug. 8) take place.
THE SCHEDULE: Live harness racing at The Meadowlands will be conducted on a Friday-Saturday basis through Sept. 12 with a first-race post time of 6:35 p.m.
There are some exceptions to those rules.
The 101st edition of the $1-million Hambletonian is on Saturday, Aug. 8, and that card begins at noon.
On Saturday, Aug. 15, racing will begin at 7 p.m.
In addition, there is a Thursday program scheduled. It will take place on Aug. 6.
Finally, there will be no live racing at The Meadowlands on Friday, Aug. 14, and Friday, Aug. 28, due to preseason football at MetLife Stadium.
A CLOSE RACE: With just seven race cards remaining in the Winter-Spring-Championship Meet, the battle for who will walk away with the title as top driver is still very much up for grabs.
It’s a two-way scrum, as Brett Beckwith, whose 146 wins led The Big M in 2025, currently has 92 victories. Joe Bongiorno is in hot pursuit with 87. Both drivers won four races over the course of last weekend (July 17-18).
The duo is incredibly close when it comes to how effective they have been for their backers. Beckwith wins at a rate of 22 percent, while Bongiorno scores at a 21.2 percent clip.
WHO’S ON THE SHOW? This weekend, Cheyenne Christman will be back on the Sam McKee Memorial Set sharing her insights and selections alongside Big M simulcast show host Dave Little.
Christman is a Multimedia Content Specialist with the United States Trotting Association, where she directs HarnessRacing.com preview shows, designs graphics, manages social media content and occasionally conducts on-air interviews. She has recently expanded her role to include serving as the USTA’s Strategic Wagers Analyst.
A third-generation horsewoman on both sides of her family, she has been around horses since the age of 3 and has worked with numerous trainers at The Meadows Racetrack. In addition to her work with the USTA, she is also a freelance social media content creator and manager for various harness racing entities.
Ken Warkentin will be in his place at the top of the grandstand calling the action for both programs, while Gary DiLeo will handle interviews from the paddock with winning connections.
A PAIR OF SEVENS: On Friday (July 17) night, track announcer Ken Warkentin treated his fans to a big night at the windows, giving out seven winners.
The very next night (Saturday, July 18), simulcast show host Dave Little helped his followers wear out a path to the cashier’s window, as he also tabbed seven on top, including Whammer Jammer (1st race, $5.60 to win, $47 exacta), Gobstopper (2nd race, $11.20 to win, $38.80 daily double) and Go Long (9th race, $16.80 to win, $56.80 exacta, $148.60 trifecta).
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.
CHECK OUT FACEBOOK AND X: Check out The Meadowlands on Facebook (@meadowlandsracetrack) for race replays, interviews, carryover updates, promotional videos and much more.
Everything Meadowlands is also 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).
BET BASEBALL IN FANDUEL: Meadowlands regulars who love to plunk down a bet or two on professional sports, 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 Big M. 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.
On Thursday (July 23), the Mets and Yankees have the day off, so Major League Baseball bettors are likely to gravitate to the lone night game on the five-game schedule.
The Kansas City Royals travel to the Motor City for a 6:40 p.m. game with the Detroit Tigers.
The Tigers are a solid -215 favorite on the money line but a slight +100 underdog laying 1½ runs in the game that has an under/over of 8½ runs.
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.
