After a four-week break, live harness racing returns to The Meadowlands on Saturday, Oct. 18.
In fact, this weekend will be split between “the runners” and “the trotters and pacers” as the final evening of the “Monmouth at The Meadowlands” Thoroughbred turf meeting takes place on Friday, Oct. 17 before the trotters and pacers get back on the track the next night. The Thoroughbred program begins at 7 p.m., while the Standardbred card begins at 6:20 p.m.
There are 27 harness programs remaining on The Big M schedule for 2025. Live action will take place every Friday and Saturday, effective Oct. 24, through the end of the year. In addition, six Thursdays have been added to the schedule. Those dates are Nov. 6, 13 and 20 and Dec. 4, 11 and 18.
The East Rutherford, New Jersey mile track has a pair of huge race nights left on the 2025 calendar. First up will be four Kindergarten Series finals that go for purses totaling $500,000 USD (guaranteed). The races, which take place on Saturday, Nov. 1, are for two-year-olds of each sex and gait. Two weeks later, on Saturday, Nov. 15, will be the final big night of the year at The Big M as an estimated $2.65 million USD in purses will be on the line on Fall Four/FanDuel Championships Night. The stakes events include the Governor’s Cup, Three Diamonds, Valley Victory and Goldsmith Maid for the two-year-old divisions and FanDuel Opens for the older divisions.
This Saturday, Ken Warkentin and Dave Little will be in their normal spots, serving as track announcer and TV host, respectively. Joe Romanelli will handle interviews from the back paddock, while Mike Bozich, the track announcer at Harrah’s Philadelphia, will sit alongside Little and serve as co-host of the simulcast presentation.
The Meadowlands’ first-ever Corgi Cup, which was postponed due to bad weather on Sept. 6, will take place on Saturday. This family friendly event features Corgis competing at the track between the live harness races. It will be a night of fun, laughs, music, doggies and harness racing. Spot & Tango, a pet wellness brand on a mission to revolutionize the dog food industry, will provide contestants with some free UnKibble dog food samples and bags.
In addition to the pooch activity, fans can enjoy a variety of activities. They can party with DJ Alx, indulge in great food and cocktails from the track’s Backyard BBQ & Grill, along with homemade ice cream from Clyde’s, visit the Doggieroadtrippin booth and grab some dog treats from Groomington Eats. Backyard doors open at 5 p.m., with the first dog race at 6 p.m.
Every night, The Meadowlands offers popular wagers with a low 15 per cent takeout. Free program pages are available on the track's website at playmeadowlands.com.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)