The Meadowlands released its full stakes schedule for the 2026 harness racing season on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
As previously announced, the 2026 stakes season will offer more than $18.5 million USD in purses, distributed across both Grand Circuit and New Jersey-restricted stakes from late April through November.
The New Jersey track’s signature events will headline the season with the Meadowlands Pace anchoring a spectacular card totalling more than $2.5 million USD in stakes purses on Saturday, July 11 and the 101st edition of America’s Trotting Classic, the $1 million USD Hambletonian, highlighting an afternoon featuring nearly $2 million USD in supporting stakes on Saturday, Aug. 8.
The Championship Meet kicks off on Friday, May 1, followed immediately by a marquee Kentucky Derby Day card on Saturday, May 2, featuring the Dexter Cup, Lady Suffolk and the opening leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes (NJSS) program for three-year-old pacers. The Grand Circuit season for older horses begins on Saturday, May 16, led by the Arthur J. Cutler Memorial Free-For-All Trot, alongside the Garden State Stakes for three-year-old colt and filly trotters. The first leg of the Miss Versatility Series is scheduled for Saturday, May 23 at the East Rutherford mile oval. The card will also include the NJSS finals for pacers and leg one for trotters.
Stakes action in June begins on Friday, June 5, with leg two of the NJSS for trotters. The Graduate Series makes its 2026 Meadowlands debut on Friday, June 12 with the second leg. The June 12 card will also include NJSS finals (three-year-old trotters) and NJSDF eliminations (three-year-old pacers). On Saturday, June 20, the Graduate Series will be contested along with the NJSDF finals (three-year-old pacers).
The month of July at The Meadowlands is packed full of premier Standardbred events. On Saturday, July 4, The Meadowlands will feature an earlier-than-usual 6 p.m. post time, setting the stage for a stakes-laden Independence Day celebration. The evening includes Meadowlands Pace eliminations, Graduate finals, the Crawford Farms, Six Pack, Dave Brower Memorial and Perfect Sting, along with Reynolds Stakes for three-year-old colt and filly trotters, all leading into a free fireworks show. On Saturday, July 11, the spotlight shines brightly on Meadowlands Pace Night, featuring the Meadowlands Pace final, Stanley Dancer Memorial, Del Miller Memorial, Hambletonian Maturity (offering four-year-old trotters a purse exceeding $400,000 USD), and both Haughton Memorials (Dorothy and William R.).
Additional July highlights include:
- Friday, July 3 – Kindergarten Series (two-year-olds) – Leg 1
- Friday, July 10 – New Jersey Sire Stakes (two-year-olds) – Leg 1
- Friday, July 17 – New Jersey Sire Stakes (two-year-olds) – Leg 2
- Friday, July 24 – Kindergarten Series (two-year-olds) – Leg 2
- Saturday, July 25 – Tompkins-Geers Stakes (three-year-old colt & filly trotters)
- Friday, July 31 – New Jersey Sire Stakes (two-year-olds) – Leg 3
August opens with Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks eliminations on Saturday, Aug. 1, plus the fourth leg of Miss Versatility and Tompkins-Geers Stakes for three-year-old colt and filly pacers. On Friday, Aug. 7, the stakes action continues with the NJSS two-year-old pace finals, NJSS Silver Series, the Muscle Hill for three-year-old colt trotters, the Continental Victory for three-year-old filly trotters and the third leg of the Kindergarten Series. Hambletonian Day, Saturday, Aug. 8, promises another unforgettable afternoon at The Meadowlands, with a 12 noon post time. The card features the 101st Hambletonian, Hambletonian Oaks, Cane Pace, Shady Daisy, Lady Liberty, John Cashman Memorial, Dr. John Steele Memorial and NJSS finals for two-year-old colt and filly trotters.
The month continues with the following stakes:
- Friday, Aug. 14 – Home Grown Series (two-year-old colt & filly pacers)
- Friday, Aug. 21 – Garden State Stakes (two-year-old colt & filly trotters)
- Friday, Aug. 21 – NJSDF eliminations (three-year-old colt & filly trotters)
- Friday, Aug. 28 – Kindergarten Series (two-year-olds) – Leg 4
- Friday, Aug. 28 – NJSDF finals (three-year-old colt & filly trotters)
On Friday, Sept. 4, the fifth leg of Miss Versatility will be contested alongside all NJCS eliminations. The NJCS finals will follow on Friday, Sept. 11, joined by the Girl Power (aged mare trot).
October’s stakes schedule is highlighted by the Renaissance Stakes for two-year-old colt and filly pacers on Saturday, Oct. 17. The fifth leg of the Kindergarten Series will be contested on Oct. 23, with the Kindergarten Classic finals taking center stage on Saturday, Oct. 31 (Halloween).
The 2026 stakes season concludes with a strong November lineup, all contested on Saturday nights with the highlight being the Fall Four stakes (Three Diamonds, Goldsmith Maid, Governor's Cup, Valley Victory) and FanDuel Championships on Nov. 14.
Additional Saturday stakes nights in November are listed below:
- Saturday, Nov. 7 – NJSDF eliminations (two-year-olds)
- Saturday, Nov. 21 – NJSDF finals (two-year-olds)
Meadowlands Racetrack recognizes and appreciates the continued support of its stakes sponsors, whose contributions make this ambitious program possible each year. Those interested in becoming a Meadowlands stakes sponsor are encouraged to inquire.
Stakes payments begin on Feb. 15. Complete details are available on the Meadowlands website. Questions may be directed to 201-460-4025. All purses are estimates unless otherwise stated. All dates are subject to New Jersey Racing Commission approval.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)