Live racing at The Meadowlands will resume this week with 15-race programs on Friday, Jan. 2 and Saturday, Jan. 3, both starting at 6:20 p.m.

Beginning the following week, the mile oval will add four consecutive Sundays to the schedule, giving their patrons not only an extra day to get their action, but a different look as well.

The Sunday programs, which will take place on Jan. 11, 18, and 25 and Feb. 1, will have everybody back at the track on a quick turnaround after the conclusion of Saturday night’s card.

“Our Sunday programs will begin at 12:30 p.m.,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “We are hoping to create a vibe that our customers will go for in a big way. We will offer day racing with a Sunday brunch, and, in addition, our fanbase can watch and wager on NFL playoff games.”

Here is the schedule for live racing at The Meadowlands during 2026. There are 102 harness dates scheduled, pending regulatory approval:

• January (13 programs) – Friday and Saturday, post time 6:20 p.m.; Sunday racing on the 11th, 18th and 25th, post time 12:30 p.m.
• February (9) – Friday and Saturday, post time 6:20 p.m.; Sunday racing on the 1st, post time 12:30 p.m.
• March (8) – Friday and Saturday, post time 6:20 p.m.
• April (8) – Friday and Saturday, post time 6:20 p.m.
• May (10) – Friday and Saturday, post time 6:20 p.m.
• June (8) – Friday and Saturday, post time 6:20 p.m.
• July (9) – Friday and Saturday, post time 6:20 p.m.
• August (10) – Friday and Saturday, post time 6:20 p.m.; Thursday racing on the 6th, post time 6:20 p.m.; post time on Saturday, Aug. 8, Hambletonian Day, is noon.
• September (4) – harness racing on the 4th, 5th, 11th and 12th, post time 6:20 p.m.; thoroughbred racing, “Monmouth Park at The Meadowlands” turf-course action on the 18th, 19th, 25th and 26th, post time 7 p.m.
• October (5) – harness racing on the 17th, 23rd, 24th, 30th and 31st, post time 6:20 p.m; thoroughbred racing on the 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th and 16th, post time 7 p.m.
• November (8) – Friday and Saturday, 6:20 p.m.
• December (10) – Friday and Saturday, 6:20 p.m., except for Friday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day, when there is no racing. Thursday racing on the 3rd, 10th and 17th, post time 6:20 p.m.

The first of four Sunday harness racing cards takes place on Jan. 11, and for those wanting to make the day more special, there will be a Sunday Brunch Buffet offered for $39.95 USD (plus tax and gratuity). Reservations can be made by calling 201-THE BIG M. Post time for the first race on Sunday is 12:30 p.m. 

This weekend, Larry Fox, a Manhattan lawyer and sports agent who has been serving as a race caller at The Big M for qualifiers, baby races and occasional pari-mutuel contests over the last two years, will co-host the Friday, Jan. 2 simulcast show alongside host Dave Little.

Little will then shift over a seat and serve as co-host on Saturday night, as his wife, Debbie, the associate editor and columnist at Harness Racing Update, will host. It marks the fourth time in the last four months that the former New York tabloid handicapping duo have paired up on Big M TV after a 30-year layoff.

For both race cards, Ken Warkentin will be in his usual spot atop the stands calling the action while Gary DiLeo will handle back-paddock interviews and FanDuel TV commentary and selections.

Looking back to the final card of the season, driver Brett Beckwith capped his marvelous year at The Big M by becoming the youngest driver in harness racing history to reach the career 2,000-win plateau. The 22-year-old pilot won the fifth race on Saturday, Dec. 27 with Belmont Major N to reach that lofty number. Tyler Smith had previously been the youngest to 2,000.

Beckwith finished the year far in front in the Meadowlands driver dash-win standings with 146. Mark Herschberger was second with 99.

The top money-earning driver was Dexter Dunn, who banked $3,015,194 USD. Andy McCarthy was second with $2,288,531 USD.

Dan Patch Trainer of the Year Ron Burke finished 2025 atop the Big M conditioner dash-win standings with 57 victories. Jeff Cullipher was next with 54.

The leading money-earning trainer was Ake Svanstedt with $2,243,842 USD, with Burke the runner-up at $2,183,357 USD.

(The Meadowlands)