The Championship Meet gets underway this weekend (May 2-3) at The Meadowlands as the stakes schedule starts its steady stroll to Meadowlands Pace Night (July 12) and Hambletonian Day (Aug. 2).
A great way to kick off this part of the season is with “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” the simulcast of the 151st running of The Kentucky Derby on Saturday, a day that always creates big excitement.
“We always have a lot of fans show up on Derby Day,” said Jason Settlemoir, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. “And this year, we have an added bonus for our harness racing fans as the Dexter Cup [for three-year-old trotters] arrives at The Meadowlands after a long stint at Freehold Raceway.
“In addition, we received input from our fan base on eliminating the post time drag and we have responded by reducing it over the last several weeks. This Friday will mark the first time it is eliminated entirely, as the horses will come onto the track at seven minutes to post and the race will go when the countdown clock gets to zero.”
The $115,500 USD Dexter Cup for three-year-old trotters features a field of six in race six with Kentucky Sire Stakes champion Hard Seven, one of two Nancy Takter trainees, as the 8-5 morning line favourite with Todd McCarthy listed to drive following a 1:53.3 successful season's debut last Saturday at The Big M. The Chapter Seven-Whispering Oaks colt is owned by Let It Ride Stables, Maurice Chodash and Boca Racing.
Hard Seven will face stablemate Civilian Drone, the Julie Miller-conditioned My Degenerate and a trio of Ron Burke trainees, Soft Landing, Tactical Dynasty and Safe Talk.
On Saturday, shortly after the start of the live Meadowlands card, racing fans can watch one of the most famous Thoroughbred races in the world at the New Jersey track. Doors at The Meadowlands open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, with the first race at Churchill Downs heading to the gate at 11 a.m. Post time for The Kentucky Derby is 6:57 p.m., meaning there will be two live harness races before the Derby takes place. Both outdoor Café picnic tables and indoor Lounge tables are available for afternoon dining. To purchase tickets, click here.
Pink Restaurant will open early at 4 p.m., and the buffet will begin at 4:30 p.m. The $64.95 USD buffet (excluding tax and gratuity) features maple bacon deviled eggs, pimento cheese and crackers, Kentucky-rubbed strip loin, hot honey fried chicken, baked macaroni and cheese, pecan pie and blondies. Reservations can be made by calling 201-The-BigM (201-843-2446).
Among some other special events taking place on May 3 is the Derby Day Hat Contest, which offers $1,000 USD in total prize money. Those interested in participating have to register between 2 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. at the Clubhouse Lobby with judging to take place at approximately 5 p.m. The prize breakdown is: $500 USD for first place, $250 USD for second place, $100 USD for third place, $50 USD for fourth place and $100 for fanciest hat.
All guests over 18 can enter the $50 Derby Win Wager contest, where 10 lucky contestants will be selected to place a $50 win wager on any horse they choose in the Kentucky Derby. To be eligible, one must enter online on The Meadowlands website at playmeadowlands.com.
For added convenience, those who just want to make wagers on the Derby can utilize the walk-up teller in Lot M. The teller will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Victory Rooftop Terrace will open at noon on Derby Day and feature a DJ. For $15 USD, guests can grab a specialty margarita cocktail in an official commemorative 2025 Kentucky Derby glass.
The extremely popular Horseplay Car Giveaway returns on Friday. Fans can get involved by picking up a free horse to toss. Participants attempt to throw their numbered horse into the window of a moving car. A winner, randomly chosen from all the horses that make it into the vehicle, will receive a $100 betting voucher. The 27 winners will be entered into the Horseplay final drawing on Friday, Aug. 1, and have a chance to win a 2025 Toyota GR86.
For fans who go the distance on Derby Day, they can end their stay at the track by joining the UFC Fight Night Watch Party in The Gallery. The main card features a UFC bout with Cory Sandhagen taking on Deiveson Figueiredo in a battle of bantamweights.
Because of the anticipated additional on-track attendance on Kentucky Derby Day, qualifiers at The Meadowlands will be conducted on Friday rather than the usual Saturday this week. There will be 14 qualifiers conducted and they will begin at 9 a.m. The dashes can be seen live on The Meadowlands website.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)