Leg 3 of The Meadowlands’ popular $1,000 Monthly Handicapping Contest takes place Saturday (March 21) with a pair of seats for the competition’s $10,000 year-end, invitation-only final up for grabs.
While the top four players at the end of the night will cash (on a $500-$250-$150-$100 basis), only the top two finishers will be invited to the big-money final, which takes place on Saturday, Dec. 12.
The first leg of the 2026 contest took place on Saturday, Jan. 10, with Del Kern and Stefan Ferrara finishing 1-2 to earn spots in the year-end tussle.
On Friday, Feb. 20, the Leg 2 “exacta” was Robert Glaser over Emile Issa.
2026 contest schedule:
· Leg 3 – Saturday, March 21
· Leg 4 – Friday, April 17
· Leg 5 – Saturday, May 23
· Leg 6 – Friday, June 12
· 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 (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 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 contest earn spots in the $10,000 tournament “final” on December 12 (22 total players).
To register for the contest, go here.
PK 8 CARRIES ON: The $1 PK 8 went unhit for a ninth consecutive offering last Saturday (March 14), upping the carryover to $94,833 for Friday night.
Winner’s odds for the Saturday sequence were 18-1, 4-1, 8-1, 4-1, 4-1, 7-2, 2-5 and 1-1. Those with six correct collected $1,497.30.
The $1 PK 8 is offered nightly on races three through 10.
-edited release (Meadowlands)