GRADUATES RETURN TO ROCK THE CLOCK AT BIG M
Despite a severe thunderstorm that made it necessary to delay the start of the races 37 minutes, a ‘wet-fast’ track at The Meadowlands last Friday (June 12) led to some drag-strip-like final times as the fastest miles of the year in the sport on the both the pace and trot were established at the mile oval ...
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- June 18, 2026 -- Despite a severe thunderstorm that made it necessary to delay the start of the races 37 minutes, a ‘wet-fast’ track at The Meadowlands last Friday (June 12) led to some drag-strip-like final times as the fastest miles of the year in the sport on the both the pace and trot were established at the mile oval.
The good news for racing fans? Those horses will all be back on the track this Saturday (June 20) at The Big M.
But back to last week. That night, the second leg of the Graduate Series for 4-year-olds of each gait took to the track, with some big names putting forth some huge performances.
First up was Super Chapter, the Marcus Melander trainee who walked away with a divisional title a year ago. He made the lead while parked in :27.3 in the first of two Graduate divisions on the trot and went down the road from there for driver Dexter Dunn, blazing his final quarter in :26 to complete a lifetime-best 1:49.3 effort for the son of Chapter Seven-Lifetime Pursuit.
He would stand alone as the fastest trotter of the year for just three races.
Indiana invader On To Norway continued to make splashy headlines over the watery racetrack, as he recorded a remarkable 27th consecutive victory in the other division for Graduate trotters. The gelded son of Muscle Massive-One Class Act moved to the top at the half in :55.2 for Yannick Gingras, before the Ron Burke trainee finished the job with a back-half of :54.1 to equal Super Chapter’s seasonal mark with a lifetime-best clocking of 1:49.3.
“He did it pretty easy,” said Gingras. “He had plenty left (in the stretch).”
Super Chapter and On To Norway share the seasonal trotting mark, but Captain Optimistic stands alone on the pace.
A Nancy Takter trainee who was a major player on the sophomore male pacing trail a year ago, Captain Optimistic sent out word that he might be a superstar as a 4-year-old, unleashing a season’s-fastest 1:46.4 score in the second Graduate pace with Scott Zeron at the controls.
The son of Captaintreacherous-Cinamony brushed to the lead at the half in a demanding :53.2 before pacing his back half in an identical :53.2 clocking to complete the mile in an effort that lowered his previous lifetime best by one-and-one-fifth seconds.
On To Norway, Super Chapter and Captain Optimistic will all be in action Saturday night at The Meadowlands in the third leg of the Graduate Series, in what will be the final preliminaries before the $250,000 (est.) finals on Saturday, July 4.
On To Norway and Super Chapter will race in separate divisions, setting up what figures to be one of the most anticipated matchups of the year in the final two weeks down the road.
WHO’S ON THE SHOW? Brett Sturman, the handicapper and columnist from Harness Racing Update, will serve as co-host of both shows this weekend alongside regular host Dave Little from the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set.
The pregame show begins at 6 p.m.
Ken Warkentin will be in his usual spot, calling the races from the roof in the best seat in the house.
On Friday, Gary DiLeo will provide commentary and selections for FanDuel Television (FDTV) as well as providing post-race interviews.
Melissa Keith will handle FDTV on Saturday.
Breakfast with the Babies, which showcases 2-year-olds getting ready for the upcoming stakes season and beyond, takes place Friday morning at 9 a.m. Matt Zuccarello will be on hand to describe all of the action.
Come on out and grab a program and free breakfast in Trotters.
The baby races are being sponsored this year by the Tactical Landing Syndicate, Ecurie D Syndicate, and Karl Syndicate, standing at Southwind Farms of New Jersey.
If you can’t make it to the track, those races can be viewed live at playmeadowlands.com.
SIZZLING SELECTORS: Last week was a good one for bettors who followed the advice of Meadowlands’ handicappers.
On Thursday (June 11), just five days after she gave out a record payout of $868 in her “Little’s Late Double” spot, Debbie Little grabbed another slice of history, becoming just the third Big M track tout ever to select 10 winners on a card. Little joins her husband, Dave, and Warkentin as the only three to reach double-digit winners on a single program.
Co-host Annie Stoebe, the trainer of Hambletonian hopeful Diabolic Hill, came close to matching Debbie, giving out nine on top.
Warkentin brought the heat on Friday (June 12), giving out eight that hit the wire first. Debbie wasn’t far behind, picking seven winners, giving her a total of 24 over a three-program span.
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 several exceptions to those rules.
On July 4, there is a stakes-packed program that includes two Graduate finals as well as eliminations for the Meadowlands Pace. Post time is 6 p.m. At the conclusion of the card, the track will have a fabulous fireworks show.
The 101st edition of the $1-million Hambletonian is on August 8. That card begins at noon.
Finally, there will be two cards that take place on a Thursday. Those programs are on July 2 and August 6.
There are additional changes to the schedule with the World Cup soccer tournament currently taking place.
There will be no live racing on Saturday, June 27, which created the need for the additional Thursday on July 2.
Finally, The Big M will be closed for simulcasting on the following dates, when World Cup matches will be played at New Jersey New York Stadium (aka MetLife Stadium):
· Monday, June 22
· Thursday, June 25
· Tuesday, June 30
· Sunday, July 5
· Sunday, July 19
“We are hoping that our regular customers don’t mind some inconvenience when the World Cup is in town,” said Settlemoir of the competition that concludes July 19. “But the fact is, those days play out like Football Sundays when the Jets or Giants are playing home games. The difference is, there is no parking on site. We are open on days when there is soccer to any rideshare customers on property. On those days, patrons can get their action in the FanDuel Sportsbook.”
THE SPECTACULAR SEVEN: This is the lineup of wagers that offer a low 15 percent takeout that will be offered on this weekend’s 14-race programs:
· Races 1-5: 20-cent Early Pick-5
· Races 3-8: 20-cent Pick-6
· Races 6-9: 50-cent Early Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
· Race 7: 10-cent Early Pentafecta (Hi-5)
· Races 8-12: 20-cent Late Pick-5
· Races 10-13: 50-cent Late Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
· Race 14: 10-cent Late Pentafecta (Hi-5)
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 THE USA 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 Friday (June 19), the World Cup soccer tournament continues with Team USA taking on Australia at 3 p.m.
The USA is the -165 favorite in the game, while Australia is +340. If you think the match will end in a draw, the odds are +410.
The FanDuel Sportsbook is your headquarters for betting on the World Cup, and is open for business, even when there is no racing at the track.
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.
