In addition, Fan Appreciation Night on Saturday (December 27) will offer discounted items off the track, while on track there are some powerful features that are sure to delight the senses of any harness racing fan, putting the spotlight on two horses that have been winning big of late.
Captain Crusader A is aiming for a fourth straight score in the eighth race of $25,000, a TrackMaster 90 for pacers. Brett Beckwith, the most popular driver at The Big M, will guide Rico Robinson’s trainee from post two and will start 3-1 in the morning line.
Thenu Came Around A is a Yonkers Raceway shipper who missed a nose last among the $20,531 non-winners in their last five starts class. The Australian invader makes his third start in North America with Johnathan Ahle in the sulky for trainer Scott Blackler. He starts from post five and starts at 9-2.
The $30,000 Open Handicap for pacers is the tenth race, and Pinny Tiger A, who won the race a week ago and extended his winning streak to five, looks to make it six with Beckwith on the bike from post eight. The duo is 5-2 on the morning line for trainer Per Engblom.
Christopher Dance N is looking to end that streak, which is 4-1 ahead of Ahle and Robinson from post five. ‘Christopher’ didn’t have a good night in this event last week, never getting close as the 5-2 second choice (Go Go Grasshopper was the 3-2 public choice). The 5-year-old stallion by Sweet Lou-Just Dance set his best time of 1:49.3 at The Big M on September 6 this year and has lost just four times in 12 starts in 2025.
*RACING SCHEDULE: *The racing schedule will have a familiar look both this weekend and next weekend.
To close out 2025, live action will take place on Friday (December 26) and Saturday (December 27).
To ring in 2026, races will take place on Friday, January 2 and Saturday, January 3.
Post time for all four programs is 6:20 p.m
*MUCH APPRECIATED: *The final race card of 2025 at The Meadowlands is one for those at the track, as Fan Appreciation Night will offer some serious savings on some of the most popular concession stand items.
Head to the cafe on Saturday (December 27) from 6pm to 11pm for $1 hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn and soda (there is a limit of five items per transaction).
Also available in the cafe are $2 Bud/Bud Light drafts.
*STURMAN ON SET: *Brett Sturman, the standout columnist and handicapper for Harness Racing Update, will serve as co-host on the live simulcast presentation of the Big M this Friday and Saturday. The show starts each evening at 5:45 p.m.
Ken Warkentin and Dave Little will fill their usual roles as track announcer and TV presenter respectively.
Gary DiLeo will provide the FanDuel TV feed and in-paddock interviews.
*HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: *On Christmas Eve, Wednesday (December 24), there will be simulcast of horse racing, but it will end at the end of the race at Gulfstream Park, which has a nine-race schedule starting at 12:20 p.m. The post time for the final race in Gulf is 4:20 PM
The FanDuel Sportsbook is open from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m
There will be no simulcasting on Christmas Day, Thursday (December 25).
The FanDuel Sportsbook is open from 11:30 AM – 1:00 AM
*GET YOUR FREE PROGRAMS:* To show appreciation to its loyal fan base, The Meadowlands is offering free program pages for every race of every racecard on its website.
Go to playmeadowlands.com and then click on the ‘news’ dropdown to watch the past performances completely free.
*A GREAT WAY TO PLAY: *Every night, The Meadowlands offers a great menu of popular bets with a low 15 percent takeaway.
*Here’s a breakdown of when these bets will be offered in this weekend’s programmes:*
· *Race 1-5: *Pick-5 of 20 cents
· *Races 3-9: *20 cents Survivor Pick-7 (mandatory payout per night)
· *Races 6-9: *Early 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
· *Races 8-13: *Pick-6 of 20 cents
· *Races 10-13: *Late 50-cent Pick 4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
· *Race 14: *10 cents Pentafecta without jackpot (Hi-5)
*A SOCIAL INSTITUTION:* Everything from Meadowlands is available via
Stay in touch with the Big M talent duo Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).
*CELEBRATE TO: *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 in a location that offers a unique experience you won’t find anywhere else.
The event spaces are complemented by a wide range of beverage and dining options, ensuring your holiday event is perfectly tailored to your preferences.
Enjoy the luxury of the Skybox Suites, which are private rooms that offer both stadium style and table seating options. With movable walls, parties of up to 200 people can enjoy a buffet dinner and unobstructed views of the racing action, making your event truly special.
Located on the ground floor of the circuit, Trackside offers an expansive space ideal for galas, receptions, large corporate events and trade shows.
The Gallery has 16 LED screens and one 220″ jumbo screen. It is furnished with a private bar, lounge and table seating and overlooks the FanDuel Sportsbook. The Gallery is ideal for alumni viewing parties and game day gatherings.
The second floor Lounge offers the best of both worlds: it’s ideal for watching live racing action and enjoying premium viewing on the sportsbook’s huge HD TVs. With its horseshoe-shaped bar and mix of lounge, high tops and seated dining, it is a versatile venue, perfect for a holiday mix or cocktail hour, and can accommodate a variety of event styles.
Book a private tour with Andrea Lokshin today by emailing her at [email protected] or call her at 201-842-5013. You can also view our spaces and take a 360 degree tour by visiting playmeadowlands.com/party/*.*
*FOOTBALL IN FANDUEL:* Meadowlands regulars eager to place a few bets on the National Football League know all they have to do is head to FanDuel Sportsbook, the #1 betting facility of its kind in North America.
It couldn’t be easier, because it’s located in the grandstand of The Meadowlands. There are huge TV screens and self-service betting terminals, allowing fans to watch and gamble in comfort while enjoying tasty food and drinks.
Week 17 of the National Football League season kicks off on Thursday, Christmas Day (December 25), when the Dallas Cowboys head to Washington for a 1 p.m. game with the Commanders.
Dallas is a 7-point favorite in the game with an under/over of 50½ points.
For the second holiday game, the Detroit Lions will kick off against the Vikings in Minnesota at 4:30 p.m.
Detroit is a 5½-point favorite going into the game with an under/over of 44½ points.
The night game starts at 8:15 PM against the Denver Broncos in Kansas City with the Chiefs.
The Broncos are a 12½-point favorite going into the game with an under/over of 36½ points.
On Sunday (December 28), the New England Patriots head to MetLife Stadium for a 1:00 PM game with the New York Jets.
The Pats are a 12½-point favorite going into the game with an under/over of 42½.
Finally, at 4 p.m., the New York Giants head to Sin City for a matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Raiders are a 1½-point favorite going into the game with an under/over of 41½ points.
Whatever sport you practice, you can find the latest odds herewww.fanduel.com/>.
The FanDuel Sportsbook is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Saturday 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM; and Sunday 8 a.m. – midnight.
Through Dave Kleinfor The Meadowlands
#Big #ready #weekend