East Rutherford, NJ – All owners and trainers in 2026, the New Meadowlands Racetrack exclusionary policy and “Standards for Participation in All Meadowlands Stakes” will apply to the Hambletonian Stakes races that are held at the New Meadowlands Racetrack. These races are subject to the Standards for Participation in All Meadowlands Stakes, see the Meadowlands website for details. Sadly, over 280 people are unable to participate at the Gural properties due to our strong stance on integrity.
A minimum of seven (7) separate interests may be required in any event, or the event may be cancelled (Hambletonian Maturity, Hambletonian, and Hambletonian Oaks are excluded from this part). All owners, trainers, and drivers of horses nominated to this event must be accepted to participate at the Host Track, or the nomination/ entry may be denied without refund of previous payments. Any change of trainers made fewer than 30 days or within four starts of the date of this race will be reviewed by the sponsor and, if not accepted, may result in refusal of entry. The choice of drivers for this event will be limited to those drivers who have applied and been approved to drive in Meadowlands stakes and early-closing events.
The list of approved drivers will be available from the racing office. Any horse nominated to any Meadowlands stakes/event must be in the care of an approved trainer by April 15 of the year of the stake for any stake/event raced during the month of May, and by May 15 for all other stakes/events. In addition, any owner who participates in a Meadowlands Stake or Early Closing event (with added money greater than $25,000) with a trainer who has an outstanding Class 1, Class 2 or TC02 positive test having occurred on or after Jan. 1, 2019 and under appeal in any jurisdiction will be declared ineligible to participate in any Meadowlands Stake or Early Closing event for 12 months following the conviction if such trainer is subsequently found guilty relating to the Class 1, Class 2 or TC02 positive test. Nominator also agrees that any horse paid into any Meadowlands stake/event may be required to be stabled for up to 14 days at an approved facility within a 150 mile radius of The Meadowlands or the Tioga Downs or Vernon Downs stable area or an approved facility in a state that agrees to cooperate in an out of competition testing protocol by the date set by The Meadowlands for that stake/event for the purpose of out of competition testing. All starters are subject to the Host Track’s detention policy.
The standards can be found by clicking on the following link:
Meadowlands Participation Standards
Additionally, all owners and trainers are bound by the following 2026 racing rules and regulations and the racing application, which are also available on the Meadowlands Racetrack website.