In light of The Hambletonian Society's recent statement regarding the future of the home of the Hambletonian Stakes, both longtime host track Meadowlands Racetrack and the Society have chimed in on the future of the historic 100-year-old classic.

The Hambletonian Society announced on Friday, Sept. 12 that it has opened bidding to racetracks to host the Hambletonian Stakes, beginning with the 2027 edition. The Society, which oversees the event's format, venues and host-track agreements, noted that, under the organization's by-laws, the Hambletonian is opened annually to prospective host-track bids unless already secured under a multi-year contract. The Meadowlands is contracted to host through 2026; however, the track did not exercise its exclusive right of renewal, which expired on Sept. 1, 2025. All tracks, including the existing host track, are able to bid if Society by-law requirements are met. 

In a Sept. 15 statement sent to media addressing the Hambletonian being opened for bids, Jeffrey Gural, Chairman & CEO of Meadowlands Racetrack, indicated that the track did not exercise its exclusive right of renewal as it seeks to secure a casino license in 2027.  

"I made it clear that I was highly confident that we would be able to receive a casino license, but it would be impossible for me to make a five-year commitment without having a license in hand," said Gural. "I also made it clear to Mr. Campbell that we had no intention of bidding for the Hambletonian after next year so the decision to put it out for bid essentially means that the Hambletonian will no longer be held at the Meadowlands after 2026."  

Gural also indicated that the track's trainer/owner exclusion list "seemed to be a major problem" for the Society.

"While I was aware that the Hambletonian Society was not going to offer us an extension of our Hambletonian contract unless we agreed to allow owners and trainers on our exclusion list to enter in the Hambletonian, the Oaks and the Maturity, I made it clear that it was not our intention to allow trainers suspected of using illegal performance enhancing drugs to race against those trainers who to the best of our knowledge are racing under the rules.

"While I recognize that the Society determines where the race is located, I hope they will change their mind. I made it clear that anyone on our exclusion list would be afforded a hearing and that Mr. Campbell can join as well." 

John Campbell, President and CEO of The Hambletonian Society, emphasized the Society's mandate is to ensure the the long-term success and stature of the Hambletonian.

"There were many issues discussed by the Hambletonian Society Board before the decision was made to put it out for bids," said Campbell in a statement received by Trot Insider on Sept. 16. "Mr. Gural does allude to the uncertainty of the future of the [Meadowlands] Racetrack and it being dependent upon him getting a casino. This was a major concern for the Board and had a huge impact on our ultimate decision as this is an unknown until November 2026."

The Meadowlands has been the home of the Hambletonian for the last 44 years, with a record 100th anniversary edition celebrated at the New Jersey racetrack this past August.

"We sincerely hope that the Meadowlands does submit a bid as everyone agrees, it has been a great host for the Hambletonian for many years," said Campbell.

The full statements from both organizations are available below.

Statement from Jeffrey Gural, Chairman & CEO of Meadowlands Racetrack - Sept. 15, 2025

"While I was aware that the Hambletonian Society was not going to offer us an extension of our Hambletonian contract unless we agreed to allow owners and trainers on our exclusion list to enter in the Hambletonian, the Oaks and the Maturity, I made it clear that it was not our intention to allow trainers suspected of using illegal performance enhancing drugs to race against those trainers who to the best of our knowledge are racing under the rules. 

"That seemed to be a major problem, along with the fact that they wanted to be sure that we would be able to host the race if we were not able to secure a casino license in 2027.  

"I made it clear that I was highly confident that we would be able to receive a casino license, but it would be impossible for me to make a five-year commitment without having a license in hand. I also made it clear to Mr. Campbell that we had no intention of bidding for the Hambletonian after next year so the decision to put it out for bid essentially means that the Hambletonian will no longer be held at the Meadowlands after 2026.  

"For those people purchasing trotting yearlings this fall I want to make it perfectly clear that if they are lucky like I was this year to have a horse good enough to participate and actually win the race, in 2027 it most likely will be held in Anderson, Indiana or Campbellville, Ont. They seem to me to be the only logical racetracks that can host the event since I doubt if the Society is willing to race on a smaller track.  

"Our plan, if we do get a casino, would be to use the $1,050,000 [USD] that we currently allot for added money to the Hambletonian races from our purse account, for other trotting races, but obviously there is no guarantee that we will have a casino.

"While we all love the sport, the sad part is that most people don’t know we exist. When I tell someone that I own The Meadowlands, the typical response would be that they used to come there with their grandfather. When I tell them that I race and breed trotters, I get a variety of responses:

• Aren’t those races fixed?
• Aren’t those horses drugged?
• What are trotters?

"In order for me to get a license, the state has to pass a referendum that would allow a casino at the Meadowlands. Currently, under state law, the only place casinos are allowed is in Atlantic City. There will be a massive amount of money spent by casinos in NY, PA and Atlantic City opposing the referendum. It is critical that I show them that it was more important for me to make sure that drug trainers were not allowed to race in the Hambletonian and that is why it was moved out of the Meadowlands. I cannot afford the animal welfare people to attack me on the integrity issue, and I think this will put that issue to bed.

"In my opinion, we have gone out of our way since I took over in 2011 to make sure the Hambletonian had a home here at the Meadowlands. Anyone who attended the race this year at the 100th Anniversary was hopefully impressed by all of the events that were conducted along with the large crowd in attendance, not to mention that I actually owned a piece of Nordic Catcher, the winner.  

"What hurts the most is the fact that had I not stepped up at the very last moment to keep the state from closing the Meadowlands and subsequently building a new $120 million [USD] grandstand dedicated entirely to horse racing, the breeding industry would not be booming the way it has over the last few years.

"I doubt if anyone other than those on our exclusion list would like to see the race moved so hopefully, they can make their feelings [known].

"While I recognize that the Society determines where the race is located, I hope they will change their mind. I made it clear that anyone on our exclusion list would be afforded a hearing and that Mr. Campbell can join as well." 

Statement from John Campbell, President and CEO of The Hambletonian Society - Sept. 16, 2025

"The long-term success and stature of the Hambletonian is the mandate of the Hambletonian Society. 

"There were many issues discussed by the Hambletonian Society Board before the decision was made to put it out for bids. 

"Mr. Gural does allude to the uncertainty of the future of the [Meadowlands] Racetrack and it being dependent upon him getting a casino. This was a major concern for the Board and had a huge impact on our ultimate decision as this is an unknown until November 2026. 

"We sincerely hope that the Meadowlands does submit a bid as everyone agrees, it has been a great host for the Hambletonian for many years."

(Standardbred Canada)