The Meadowlands Racetrack will kick off its Championship Meet on Friday, May 4, and it will run through Hambletonian Day (Saturday, August 4).
Live racing will take place every Friday and Saturday night with a 7:15 p.m. post time. The Championship Meet will feature over $8.5 million in stakes purses and event-filled weekends.
Every live race night, fans can enter ‘Horseplay.’ Pick up a free horse at the promotions table and throw the horse into the car for a chance to win $100 and an entry into the Friday, August 3 drawing for a brand new 2018 automobile. For every horse that makes it into the Horseplay car, the Meadowlands will donate $10 to the designated monthly charity. The May donation recipient will be K9 Soldiers, Inc/The Argos Project; the June donation recipient will be Bergen County Horse Rescue; and the July/August donation recipient will be Homefront.
On Saturday, May 5, join the Meadowlands for an exciting day and night of simulcast and live racing, including the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs. Fans can enter the $1,000 Derby Hat contest and the $100 win wager promotion.
On Saturday May 19, the beer will flow for the third annual Spring Beer Fest. Doors will open for VIP at 4:30 p.m. with General Admission at 5:30 pm and beer is poured until 9:30pm.
The third annual Battle for the Best Burger is slated for Saturday, June 9. The contest offers a $1,500 grand prize with $1,000 for second place and $500 for third. This free event will run from 12 noon - 10 p.m. and fans are encouraged to come out and taste some of the best local burgers.
Camels and ostriches will thunder down the stretch at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment for the seventh annual Camel & Ostrich Derby on Saturday, June 16.
On Saturday June 23, the vino will flow at Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment for the Summer Wine Festival. Doors open for VIP Admission at 4:30 p.m. with General Admission at 5:30 p.m. and wine will be poured until 9:30 p.m. Fest-goers will experience an evening of great wines from around the world, live-harness racing, music and food.
Saturday, July 7th is Fan Appreciation Night and the first annual Wiener Dog Derby. Fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs, popcorn, soda and draft beer while watching dachshunds dash down the track’s stretch in our Wiener Dog Derby. Plus following the races fans are encouraged to stay of the free fireworks show. Racing features a special post time of 6:35 p.m.
Then on Saturday, July 14, the third annual BBQ Battle will return to the track on Crawford Farms Meadowlands Pace Night. $2,000 will be up for grabs in the battle with $500 top prizes for the best brisket, chicken, pulled pork and ribs. Plus on the track, the top three-year-old pacers compete for the $600,000 Meadowlands Pace title. Racing will feature a special post time of 6:35 p.m.
The always-popular Seafood Festival is scheduled for its fifth year on Saturday, July 28. The Pink buffet, overlooking the live racing action, will feature a special seafood-themed spread including lobster, mussels and clams. There will also be a raw bar in the Backyard and a variety of food trucks serving up some of the best seafood in the Garden State.
The race meet will wrap up on Saturday, August 4 with the greatest day in harness racing - $1 million Hambletonian Day. Over $3.5 million will be on the line. Doors will open at 10 a.m. with first race at 12 noon. Admission will be $5 and will include a commemorative Hambo baseball cap for adults and a horse keychain for children. In addition to the great harness racing, fans can enjoy carnival rides and games, pony rides, face painters, live music and much more.
For a complete list of nightly events, promotions and updated racing calendar please visit playmeadowlands.com.
(With files the Meadowlands)