Big Jim, last season’s champion 2-year-old pacer in the U.S. and Canada, was made the 2-1 favorite for the $1 million Meadowlands Pace on Saturday night.

Big Jim will start from post No. 2 with Phil Hudon at the lines. He won the fastest of the two Pace eliminations last week in 1:50. Custard The Dragon, the 4-1 second choice from post No. 3, took the other elimination in 1:50 2/5.

The two elimination winners earned the right to pick their posts. The other eight spots in the 10-horse field were randomly selected for the mile race.

Big Jim won the two-horse draw to determine the first overall pick. Owner Jim Carr took the second slot, saying it was Hudon’s preferred post.