Breeders Crown takes center stage in New Jersey this weekend, with 12 races at The Meadowlands

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The grandest of harness racing events, the Breeders Crown, takes place this weekend (Oct. 25-26) at the sport’s grandest venue, The Meadowlands, as the 12 finals for horses of all ages, sexes and gaits will battle it out in front of a national television audience on Fox Sports for purses totaling $7.296 million.

Live racing will be conducted on both Friday and Saturday at The Big M with a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m. Both programs will have 14 races.

“The Breeders Crown World Championships at The Meadowlands take an international stage this weekend on Fox Sports,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “Horses, owners, trainers and drivers from around the world will meet, and everything, most notably Horse of the Year and divisional honors, will be on the line.”

The first of two Breeders Crown finals shows will be telecast Friday on Fox Sports 1 (FS1) from 8-11 p.m., while the Saturday broadcast can be seen on FS2 from 7:30-11 p.m. Acacia Clement and Paul Verderosa will anchor both shows from The Meadowlands while selections, analysis and interviews will be provided by Meadowlands’ TV talent Jessica Otten and Red Mile jack-of-all-trades Gabe Prewitt.

THE LINEUP: These are the 12 Breeders Crown races that will be contested this Friday (Oct. 25) and Saturday (Oct. 26):

FRIDAY:

• Race 6 – $700,000 – 2-Year-Old Filly Trot (post time, 8:15 p.m.)
• Race 7 – $700,000 – 2-Year-Old Filly Pace (8:40 p.m.)
• Race 8 – $700,000 – 2-Year-Old Colts & Geldings Trot (9:15 p.m.)
• Race 10 – $700,000 – 2-Year-Old Colts & Geldings Pace (10:10 p.m.)

SATURDAY:

• Race 4 – $496,000 – Open Mares Trot (post time, 7:25 p.m.)
• Race 5 – $600,000 – 3-Year-Old Filly Trot (7:48 p.m.)
• Race 6 – $600,000 – 3-Year-Old Filly Pace (8:15 p.m.)
• Race 7 – $600,000 – 3-Year-Old Colts & Geldings Trot (8:40 p.m.)
• Race 8 – $600,000 – Open Pace (9:15 p.m.)
• Race 9 – $600,000 – Open Trot (9:42 p.m.)
• Race 10 – $600,000 – 3-Year-Old Colts & Geldings Pace (10:10 p.m.)
• Race 11 – $400,000 – Open Mares Pace (10:38 p.m.)

For Friday’s complete entries, go here.

For Saturday’s complete entries, go here.

A GREAT PLACE TO PLAY: Breeders Crown elimination weekend (Oct. 18-19) at The Meadowlands provided an exceptional gambling product that provided the player enormous value, which is precisely what the mile oval is famous for.

A total of 19 favorites took it on the chin last Friday and Saturday during the course of the 27 races, meaning favorites won a measly 29 percent of the time.

Friday was especially tough on chalk players, as the three shortest-priced horses on the card – 1-5 Rose, 1-5 Fallout and 1-2 Super Charger – all bit the dust.

Average $2 payouts pleased punters as the Win ($18), Exacta ($190), Trifecta ($1,092), Pick-3 ($4,620), Superfecta ($6,420) and Pick-4s ($14,068) all paid handsomely.

The 20-cent base multi-leg wagers were also rock solid, as the Pick-5 ($910), Pick-6 ($2,504) and Survivor Pick-7 ($4,799) all resulted in big returns.

HE’S FAR FROM DUNN: If last week’s Crown eliminations are an indicator, Dexter Dunn is set up to do good things this weekend in the finals.

Dunn, who was the Dan Patch Driver of the Year from 2019-2022, led all drivers last weekend, hitting the board in 77 percent of his 26 starts, after winning six, with five seconds and nine thirds. His win percentage was 23 with a UDRS of .453.

The 35-year-old pilot has many live drives in the upcoming finals, with five morning-line favorites, three second choices and two third choices. In 83 percent of the races, he will drive no worse than the third choice on the early line.

CATCH THE CROWN: For coverage of the Breeders Crown in print, check out harnessracingupdate.com, drf.com/harness and harnesslink.com.

To watch live coverage of the crown, in addition to Fox Sports, a live feed will be available on The Meadowlands’ YouTube and Facebook pages. Also, many ADW (Advance Deposit Wagering) sites – like the one offered at FanDuel.com – are a great place to catch the action as well as get your action.

The Meadowlands live in-house presentation will find Dave Little on set all weekend long. On Friday, he’ll be in the co-host chair beside Greg Blanchard, who Big M fans know from his presence on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set the last two years during Meadowlands Pace weekend.

Saturday will have Little in the host chair, sitting alongside Woodbine Mohawk Park multi-tasker Mark McKelvie, who was last seen at The Big M with Little on set analyzing the 2023 Hambletonian.

STORY LINES: Some of the stories you might be reading during the course of the week:

• Will Twin B Joe Fresh rebound from her loss last week, and win to lock up Horse of the year honors?
• Will the absences of Jiggy Jog S (retired to injury) and Karl (retired due to illness) help TBJF get that award?
• Will Dexter Dunn’s Grand Circuit wizardry continue?
• How will betting business be in the Crown’s first Meadowlands appearance since 2021?

THAT’S A GUARANTEE: The wagering menu for the Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands will undoubtedly fire up the mile oval’s loyal fan betting base, as there will be $300,000 in guaranteed pools up for grabs on the track’s most popular multi-leg wager.

On both Friday and Saturday, the Early Pick-4 is guaranteed at $100,000 while the Late P4 will be at least $50,000.

Here is a look at what bettors can expect night in and night out when playing Meadowlands’ races for the foreseeable future. These wagers sport a low 15 percent takeout:

• 20-cent Pick-5: Race 1-5
• 20-cent Survivor Pick-7: Races 3-9
• 50-cent Pick-4: Races 6-9
• 20-cent Pick-6: Races 8-13
• 50-cent Pick 4: Races 10-13
• 10-cent Pentafecta (Hi-5): Race 14

The Meadowlands has added two superfectas to each card. There will now be 10 superfecta opportunities on 14-race programs. The minimum wager in one thin dime.

FA-REEE! To show appreciation to its loyal fan base, The Meadowlands offers free programs on every race of every race card on its website.

Go to playmeadowlands.com to get the past performances at absolutely no cost.

“X” MARKS THE SPOT: Everything Meadowlands is available by going on X (formerly known as Twitter). 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 team of Otten (@JessicaOtten1), Little (@DaveLittleBigM), Ken Warkentin (@kenvoiceover) and John Rallis (@john_rallis).

BREEDERS CROWN DINING: Time is running short to get your dining reservations for the Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands.

Pink Restaurant’s buffet on Friday night features shrimp cocktail, gouda-stuffed arancini and grilled Caesar salad.  Guests can also dine on a chili-rubbed NY strip, baked Mahi Mahi with a lemon dill sauce and moist carrot cake. Friday’s menu is $74.95 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Saturday’s buffet is $79.95 plus tax and gratuity and is highlighted by a seafood tower filled with shrimp, clams, oysters and crab legs. Other menu features include lobster bisque, roasted ribeye and sweet-and-sour chicken.

Reservations can be made by calling 201-THE-BIGM (201-843-2446). All reservations must be prepaid.

Guests looking for a la carte dining can head to the second-floor Lounge, which is the place to be to watch and wager all the racing and the day’s sports action. Guests can dine on delicious Victory Sports Bar fare, which includes wings, burgers, lobster mac and cheese, salads, wraps and more. The purchase price is a food credit that will be applied to the food and beverage bill. Tax and gratuity are not included in this credit and are additional.

Available Seating/Dining Options for purchase include:

Grandstand Bar Seat: $50 per seat

Grandstand Lounge Table:  $100 per two-person table; $200 for a four-person table.

Grandstand Lounge Couch: $200 per two-person section, complete with couch.

Tables are now available for purchase at https://www.playmeadowlands.events/event-details/bc-dining-tickets.

YANKEES GO FOR 28: For the first time in 15 years, the New York Yankees have advanced to the World Series, and the Bronx Bombers, already the most prolific title-holding team in the history of Major League Baseball, will shoot for their 28^th World Championship against the high-powered Los Angeles Dodgers, who doused the dreams of a Subway Series after squashing the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series, four games to two.

All of the World Series games will be televised in the FanDuel Sportsbook, the No. 1 facility of its type in North America, where, of course, Yankees fans can get all of their Series action.

First up is the series itself. The Dodgers are the -122 favorite, which, for horseplayers, translates to 4-5. The Yanks are +104, which is even-money.

How about some prop bets? If you think there will be a home run hit in every game, the odds are -280 (1-5). If you think any player will hit a Series-record six home runs (or more), those odds are +4500 (45-1). Do you think Shohei Ohtani will win the Most Valuable Player Award? That price is +230 (2-1). How about an MVP for Aaron Judge? You’ll get +500 (5-1). What about Juan Soto? Those odds are +550 (5-1 or 11-2, if you prefer).

Game 1 is Friday (Oct. 25) night at Dodger Stadium, with first pitch at 8:05 p.m. Los Angeles is the -126 favorite 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 Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-1 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-1 a.m.; and Sunday 8 a.m.-midnight. For cash-at-counter customers, the hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.-11 p.m.

POWERHOUSE PROMOTIONS: This year’s Breeders Crown finals weekend feature special promotions and events to complement the great racing.

Friday’s promotions include:

• $1,200 Halloween Costume Contest (Sign up from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse Lobby with judging in the Winner’s Circle following Race 4. First Prize: $500; 2nd place: $250; 3rd place: $100; 4th place: $50. Bonus categories: $100 for Scariest; $100 for funniest; $100 for best horse-themed costume)
• Tote Machine Payout (Guests who use any self-service tote machine between 6:15 and 11 p.m. are eligible to win. Voucher values from $2-$500. Voucher prizes based on the overall number of wagers made in the entire facility on self-service machines. Must be present at The Meadowlands to participate.)

Saturday’s promotions:

• $1,200 Breeders Crown Hat Contest (Sign up from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse Lobby with judging in the Winner’s Circle following Race 4. First Prize: $500; 2nd place: $250; 3rd place: $100; 4th place: $50. Bonus categories: $100 for Scariest; $100 for funniest; $100 for best horse-themed costume)
• $10,000 Handicapping Contest ($100 betting card purchase required at contest check-in. Entry includes a live racing program. Format: Contestants must bet a minimum of five Meadowlands races. No minimum and no maximum bet per race. Open to any wager on the Meadowlands live wagering menu. This includes W/P/S, Exacta, Trifecta, Pick 3/4/5/6, Daily Double and Superfecta wagers. Contestants keep all pari-mutuel winnings. Unlimited entries allowed per person. Payouts: 1st – $2,500; 2nd – $2,000; 3rd – $1,250; 4th – $1,000; 5th – $750; 6^th-10th – $500)

DRINK FROM THE CUP: The week after wearing the Crown, come to The Meadowlands and have a sip from The Cup.

The 41^st Breeders’ Cup World Championships kick off on Friday, Nov. 1, with the first five Cup dashes.

The 41^st edition of the event returns to California’s Del Mar Turf Club.

It all starts with Future Stars Friday, where the sport’s stars of tomorrow compete in five 2-year-old races:

• $1-million Juvenile Turf Sprint (post time, 5:45 p.m.)
• $2-million Juvenile Fillies (6:25 p.m.)
• $1-million Juvenile Fillies Turf (7:05 p.m.)
• $2-million Juvenile (7:45 p.m.)
• $1-million Juvenile Turf (8:25 p.m.)

Pink Restaurant will be offering a buffet for $49.95. Dining begins at 4:30 p.m. with salads and appetizers before main dishes and sides start at 5:30 p.m.

Call 201-THE-BIGM for reservations.