East Rutherford, NJ – Saturday (Aug. 6), Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment showcases the 97th Hambletonian, also known as “harness racing’s greatest day.” Home to the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks since 1981, the Meadowlands hosts a day of fun for the entire family including epic races, carnival rides & games, pony rides & hat contest, food trucks, live music and giveaways.

The Grandstand doors open at 10 a.m. with $5 admission. The giveaways begin immediately, including 2022 Hambletonian baseball cap for adults and children with paid admission. $5 admission can be purchased in advance at https://meadowlandsracetrack.ticketleap.com/2022-hambletonian-day-tickets/

The 97th Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks will be run this coming Saturday at the Meadowlands. Meadowlands Racetrack photo. 

The first race post time is at noon. The 97th Hambletonian, America’s Trotting Classic, is the richest trotting race in the world for 3-year-olds with a purse of $1 million. The companion filly event, the Hambletonian Oaks, is worth $500,000. There will be a total of 16 races on Hambo Day totaling over $3 million in stakes purses.

The Backyard will be filled with free carnival rides, games and pony rides plus a free live concert by the popular Craig Sailer Project beginning at 11 a.m. Racing fans can grab a Hambo flag, snag driver and trainer autographs and meet the Tratter Co. boys at the Harness Racing Fan Zone Tent.

Fans can grab some food from some delicious food trucks including Clyde’s Homemade Italian Ices and Ice Cream, Delicious BBQ, Cousins Maine Lobster, The Mozzarella God, Mi Sabor Boricua, Caribbean Soul, The Little Sicilian, Magic Mike’s Smoked Meats, The Empanada Truck, Uncle Bob’s Kettle Corn, F&A’s Burgers, Wings and More, My Delicious BBQ, Angry Archie’s and DAW Concessions. Plus grab a cold and refreshing Trotter’s Gold golden ale brewed by Ghost Hawk Brewing Co commemorating 2021 Hambo winner Captain Corey.

Bring your most creative hat for the chance to win the Hambletonian Hat Contest. Sign up at the track level promotions table and make your way to the track before race four. First place wins $500, second place $250, third place $100, fourth place $50 and the most elegant hat wins $100.

The Hambletonian Oaks is scheduled for Race 12 at 4:48 p.m. and the Hambletonian Final is scheduled for Race 15, with a post time at 6:35 pm.

For all things Hambletonian, visit http://www.meadowlandsracetrack.com/hambletonian/