East Rutherford, NJ – A dangerous heat dome is currently affecting Northern New Jersey – which includes East Rutherford – bringing stifling humidity and heat index values in the upper 90s to low 100s through the July 4 weekend.
As a result, the intense weather conditions have made it necessary for management at The Meadowlands to make some changes for the upcoming holiday weekend.
First of all, the live program of racing that was scheduled to take place tonight (Thursday, July 2) has been canceled. That card has been moved to Thursday, July 9.
Due to anticipated heat indices that could reach the mid-100s, post time on Friday (July 3) is 25 minutes later than usual. The first of 12 races will get underway at 7 p.m., late enough for racing to be conducted safely as temperatures come down.
Finally, Saturday (July 4) is a huge night of racing and fun. The forecast high temperature that day is close to 100, but a stray shower or thunderstorm could help make things more comfortable.
Post time for the 11-race program is 6 p.m. The early post is necessary with the track presenting a fantastic fireworks show to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The last race is scheduled to go at approximately 10:35 p.m. with the free fireworks presentation to follow shortly thereafter.
For more fireworks information, go here.
The race card will be stocked with explosive stars who will burn up the track as a single elimination for the $810,000 Meadowlands Pace presented by Genova Burns LLC highlights the program. In addition, there will be a pair of Stan Bergstein Graduate Series finals, one for pacers and one on the trot, each of which will go for $230,000. Also on the card will be the $153,200 Perfect Sting, $168,100 Dave Brower Memorial, $129,400 Six Pack and $131,250 JL Cruze.
“After a remarkably tough winter, here we are dealing with a brutal heat wave,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “So, we decided to make some moves that will protect our equine athletes and the people who care for them. Everybody has to realize that these kinds of temperatures are no joke, so everyone who is participating in the races, or, for that matter, coming out to the races, has to be aware of how they are feeling and take care of themselves by limiting how long they are out in the heat while always keeping hydrated.”
THE BABIES GET UP EARLY: There will be 10 baby races/qualifiers contested Saturday morning at 8 a.m. for those who want to get a glimpse at some of the stars of tomorrow.
Matt Zuccarello will be back calling the action for a third time.
SATURDAY STARS: There will be plenty of star power present on the Saturday evening program. Some of the bigger names participating include:
- Race 3 – JL Cruze: Lexus Kody, the 2025 Dan Patch Trotter of the Year.
- Race 6 – Six Pack: Yo Tillie, last year’s 3-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year, takes on Warrawee Michelle, the defending Older Female Trotter of the Year.
- Race 7 – Meadowlands Pace elimination: Brandon Blvd is now clearly the one to beat with Beau Jangles recovering from a lung infection and North America Cup winner Odds On Mr Mamba opting out.
- Race 8 – Graduate Trot: Super Chapter, the defending 3-Year-Old Trotter of the Year, has been dominant thus far in his 4-year-old campaign.
- Race 9 – Dave Brower Memorial: Ervin Hanover, last year’s Older Male Pacer of the Year, looks to stay unbeaten in three 2026 starts.
- Race 10 – Graduate Pace: Prince Hal Hanover is off a powerhouse score in 1:48, taking down Captain Optimistic, the fastest performer in the game this year by virtue of a 1:46.4 clocking two starts ago.
- Race 11 – Perfect Sting: The battle of the stablemates pits Chris Ryder’s Miki And Minnie, a lifetime earner of $2.1 million, against Twin B Joe Fresh, who has a bank account of $2.8 million.
CATCH IT ON FOX: Saturday night’s huge racing program is too good to just be seen locally, which is why all seven stakes events on the Big M card will be shown to a nationwide audience as part of the New York Racing Association’s (NYRA) “America’s Day at the Races” series.
The three-hour live broadcast can be seen on Fox Sports 1 (FS1) and will begin at 8 p.m. Providing commentary and analysis will be the team of Jessica Otten and Gabe Prewitt.
The presentation is the second of seven that will feature Big M races during the 2026 stakes season. FS1 will come right back on July 11 at 8 p.m. with a show that features the $810,000 Meadowlands Pace final presented by Genova Burns LLC.
WHO’S ON THE SHOW? This weekend, Trot Magazine associate editor and Mohawk TV personality John Rallis and DRF Harness editor Derick Giwner will be on hand participating in The Big M’s live simulcast presentation.
On Friday, Rallis will join regular host Dave Little on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set while Gary DiLeo provides interviews from the paddock.
Saturday night will find Giwner sitting alongside Little on set with Rallis handling interviews from the winner’s circle.
By the way, the next evening, on Sunday (July 5), Giwner will be at the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in Goshen, New York, being inducted into the Communicators Hall of Fame.
As usual, Ken Warkentin will be in his spot at the top of the grandstand calling the action for both programs.
THE SCHEDULE: Live harness racing at The Meadowlands will be conducted on a Friday-Saturday basis through Sept. 12 with a first-race post time of 6:35 p.m.
In addition to the heat-related post time changes, there is one other exception to that rule.
The 101st edition of the $1-million Hambletonian is on August 8. That card begins at noon.
Finally, there will be two cards that take place on a Thursday. In addition to July 9, there will also be Thursday racing on August 6.
There are additional changes to the schedule with the World Cup soccer tournament currently taking place.
The Big M will be closed for simulcasting on the following dates, when World Cup matches will be played at MetLife Stadium:
- Sunday, July 5
- Sunday, July 19
“We are hoping that our regular customers don’t mind some inconvenience when the World Cup is in town,” said Settlemoir of the competition that concludes July 19 with the championship match at MetLife Stadium. “But the fact is, those days play out like Football Sundays when the Jets or Giants are playing home games. The difference is, there is no parking on site. We are open on days when there is soccer to any rideshare customers on property. On those days, patrons can get their action in the FanDuel Sportsbook.”
BIG ACTION, LOW TAKEOUT: This is the lineup of wagers that will be offered on Friday night’s 12-race program. They all offer a low 15 percent takeout.
- Races 1-5: 20-cent Early Pick-5
- Races 3-8: 20-cent Pick-6
- Races 5-8: 50-cent Early Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
- Race 7: 10-cent Early Pentafecta (Hi-5)
- Races 8-12: 20-cent Late Pick-5
- Races 9-12: 50-cent Late Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
- Race 12: 10-cent Late Pentafecta (Hi-5)
This is the lineup of wagers that will be offered on Saturday night’s 11-race program. They all offer a low 15 percent takeout.
- Races 1-5: 20-cent Early Pick-5
- Race 3-8: 20-cent Pick-6
- Race 5: 10-cent Early Pentafecta (Hi-5)
- Races 6-9: 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
- Races 7-11: 20-cent Late Pick-5
- Race 11: 10-cent Late Pentafecta (Hi-5)
GET YOUR FREE PROGRAMS: To show appreciation to its loyal fan base, The Meadowlands offers free program pages for every race of every race card on its website.
Go to playmeadowlands.com, then click on the “news” dropdown to get the past performances at absolutely no cost.
CHECK OUT FACEBOOK AND X: Check out The Meadowlands on Facebook (@meadowlandsracetrack) for race replays, interviews, carryover updates, promotional videos and much more.
Everything Meadowlands is also available by going on X. You can check in with the Big M team for early changes, racing information and staff selections by going to @themeadowlands or #playbigm.
Stay in touch with The Big M talent duo of Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).
CATCH LOS MINI ENMASCARADOS: Saturday night, come and catch a spectacular family-friendly show when Los Mini Enmascarados (Mini Masked Wrestlers) perform the unique Mexican cultural art of Lucha Libre in the ring.
According to the website dwarfanators.com:
“Center Stage Entertainment brings to you the Extreme Dwarfanators Wrestling!
“As we are one of the best dwarf wrestling shows in the business and we are ready to put on a show you’ll never forget. While some call it midget wrestling we call it Dwarfanators wrestling!
“Whether you’re looking for laughs or thrills, our show has it all. Our micro or dwarf wrestlers are incredibly athletic and consistently put on a great show that is sure to entertain. We have been entertaining for over 10 years, selling out shows in event centers, arenas, casinos and nightclubs.”
The show will be in The Big M’s Backyard, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. The event begins at 7 p.m. with matches taking place between the live harness races.
For tickets to the wrestling, go here.
COME AND PARTY ON PACE NIGHT: It’s the biggest party in harness racing!
Come to The Meadowlands on Saturday, July 11, and check out a huge night of stakes racing, featuring the $810,000 Meadowlands Pace presented by Genova Burns LLC.
In addition, there will be so much going on, everyone will find something interesting to do or see on the night of the mile oval’s signature event. There will be plenty for youngsters to do as well, so bring the kids.
On your way in, pick up your free Meadowlands Pace t-shirt, which commemorates the 50th edition of the storied stakes event as well as paying tribute to the World Cup soccer tournament.
There are also rides, games, live music, food trucks, and, yes, eight stakes events that will be presented on the program, with estimated purses totaling $2.5 million.
Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.
For complete information, go here.
WIN THE WORLD IN FANDUEL: Meadowlands regulars who love to plunk down a bet or two on professional sports, know all they have to do is head for the FanDuel Sportsbook, the No. 1 betting facility of its type in North America.
It couldn’t be easier to do, as it’s located inside the grandstand at The Big M. There are massive TV screens and self-service betting terminals, which enable fans to watch and wager in comfort while having some great food and drink.
Whatever the sport, for the latest odds, go here.
The FanDuel Sportsbook is open for business Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. – 1 a.m.; and Sunday 8 a.m. – midnight.