Meadowlands Racetrack will showcase the 100th Hambletonian, presented by FanDuel, on Saturday, Aug. 2 during a day of fun for the entire family, including epic races, activities and games, meet and greets, a hat contest, food trucks, music and giveaways.
The Grandstand doors open at 10 a.m. with a $5 USD admission fee. The giveaways begin immediately, including a Hambletonian 100 baseball cap for adults and an Atlanta Breyer for children with paid admission. The $5 USD admission can be purchased in advance online.
Racing begins at 12 noon on Saturday at The Meadowlands. The $1 million USD Hambletonian (Grade 1) for three-year-old trotters is scheduled as race 12, with a post time of 4:47 p.m., and the companion filly event, the $500,000 USD Hambletonian Oaks (Grade 1) is scheduled as race 10, with a post time of 3:37 p.m. There will be 16 races on Hambo Day, with more $3 million USD in stakes purses.
The Backyard will be filled with inflatables, a mechanical shark, carnival games, music by DJ ALX and face painters. Racing fans can grab a Hambo flag, snag driver selfies, giveaways and trainer autographs at the HarnessRacing.com tent.
The one and only Muscle Hill, the 2009 Hambletonian champion, will be on hand in the Backyard from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fans can meet this harness racing great and enter the “losing ticket drawing” for a chance to win a hoof print autograph or poster.
Fans can grab some food from some delicious food trucks including Clyde’s Homemade Italian Ices and Ice Cream, Love JoJo’s Cookies, Cat Like Reflexes, Carnival Concessions, Latin Bites, Eat My Balls, Star Of The Sea Seafood, Bitch’n Bacon, The Mozzarella God, Angry Archies, Kimchi Smoke BBQ, Lots of Meat BBQ, Cousins Maine Lobster, Wild Bill’s Soda, Uncle Eddie’s Touch of Sauce & DAW Concessions.
Fans can pick up a commemorative Hambletonian 100 cup at the track’s bars and concessions stands filled with the beverage of their choice, including the day’s signature cocktail, Shanky’s Pineapple Whip. This Hambletonian signature cocktail is made with grenadine, pineapple juice and Shanky’s Whip Smooth Black Irish Whiskey.
Ghost Hawk Brewing’s Trotter’s Gold has returned for 2025 as the official Hambletonian 100 beer. This refreshing golden ale is the perfect thirst quencher for racing fans. The can’s label also features the Hambletonian trophy and the 99 past winners of this historic race.
Fans that bring their most creative hat will have a chance to win the Hambletonian Hat Contest. First place wins $500 USD, second place $250 USD, third place $100 USD and fourth place $50 USD. The most elegant hat wins $100 USD. TV personality Carson Kressley will once again be judging this year’s contest.
Kressley will also lead the post parade ceremony for the Hambletonian Oaks and present the trophies for both the Oaks and the Hambletonian finals.
Fashion influencer Caitlyn Warakomski will be onsite to judge the best festive summer fits. There will be more than $2,500 USD in cash prizes – so fans are encouraged to dress their best to impress!
(Meadowlands Racetrack)