East Rutherford, NJ – The Meadowlands Racetrack is the best place to dine, watch and wager on the Kentucky Derby this Saturday (May 1).  Doors open at 9 a.m. with Churchill Downs’ first post at 10:30 a.m.  Live harness racing kicks off at 6:20 p.m. and Kentucky Derby post time is set for 6:57 p.m.

Guaranteed admission and dining tickets are on sale at Derby Day | MRE Dining (playmeadowlands.events)

Lounge dining is sold out and due to limited attendance capacities and COVID protocols, onsite attendance is limited to the following:
· Café table seating
· Backyard BBQ & Grill seating
· West Deck & Promenade dining
· 500 hundred pre-paid general admission indoor Grandstand tickets
· 3,000 Backyard only general admission

There are 19 Café picnic tables remaining for purchase. The Café will have waitress service and be tented for guest comfort. Guests can dine on racetrack staples including chicken wings and French fries, cheese steaks, burgers, pretzels, popcorn, ice cream and more. Reservations must be pre-paid and are $100 per table of up to four, which includes a food credit that can be used at the outdoor Café on Kentucky Derby Day only.

Also, 41 Outdoor Backyard Tables are still available.  The Backyard BBQ & Grill opens at 11 a.m. with waitress service for the delicious spring-time grilled fare including burgers, sausage and hot dogs along with brisket, ribs and mac & cheese. Each table seats up to 4 people and includes a food credit that can be used at the Backyard BBQ & Grill and Backyard Bar on Saturday, May 1 only. Additional seats can be purchased for $25. All Backyard diners should enter via the Backyard entrance.

The West Deck has a $39.95 pre-fixe Derby lunch menu featuring a variety of cold salads, grilled items along with a selection of pre-packaged desserts. Reservations are required and dining must be prepaid by calling 201-TheBigM or emailing mrefinski@playmeadowlands.com. Seating is limited starting at 11am with a hot food service from 11a.m.-4:30 p.m.. If additional food is ordered after 5 p.m., each additional diner will be charged $29.95 for the evening food service.

The Promenade, which opens for outdoor dining at 5 p.m., featuring salads, grilled hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken along with desserts.  Reservations are required and dining must be prepaid. Reservations can be made by calling 201-TheBigM or emailing mrefinski@playmeadowlands.com.

Patrons not interested in dining can purchase a general admission ticket for $10 that guarantees track entrance through the Simulcast Entrance from 9 a.m.–7 p.m..  Online purchase of admission is encouraged to guarantee entrance to the grandstand.  After 7 p.m. admission is free.

There is also the free Backyard admission option.  Guests are able to enter the track via the Backyard entrance to watch and wager on all the racing action at the outdoor mutuel tellers.  Due to COVID attendance restrictions, Backyard admissions will not be granted access to the Grandstand.

All guests will have their temperature checked and must complete a brief health questionnaire before entering via the Clubhouse entrance. No one with a temperature exceeding 100.4 will be allowed to enter. Guests can download and complete the required questionnaire at PlayMeadowlands.com to help speed up the check-in process. All must wear masks while not actively eating or drinking at their table.

More detailed information on dining and Derby Day admission can be found at Derby Day | MRE Dining (playmeadowlands.events)

Walk-Up Teller Offered for Derby weekend at the Meadowlands

As an added convenience for the wagering public due to reduced racetrack capacity, the Meadowlands Racetrack will offer a walk-up teller window on both Friday (April 30) and Saturday (May 1) for Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby days, respectively.

The walk-up window is located in Lot M off of Berry’s Creek Road.  Tellers will be available for wagering from 10 a.m. through 7 p.m.  Programs will be available for sale along with past performances for the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby.