by Moira Fanning, publicity director, the Hambletonian Society

Cranbury, NJ — The $1.7 million Hambletonian, the richest trotting race in North America, will be televised live on NBC this year, ending a 13-year run on CBS.

Broadcast time for the Hambletonian and the filly companion event, the $850,000 Hambletonian Oaks, has been moved up in the afternoon broadcast schedule to 3:30 p.m. (EDT) on Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, N.J.

The Hambletonian, owned and administered by the N.J.-based Hambletonian Society, remains the only harness race to be nationally televised by one of the four major networks.

“Thanks to our dedicated relationship with the Meadowlands, we were able to negotiate a new contract with NBC that featured an even more favorable daytime slot for the race,” said Hambletonian Society president Tom Charters. “We look forward to another great Hambletonian Festival with a new partner in NBC.”

The classic trotting race is celebrating 26 years at the Meadowlands Racetrack, which has held the event since 1981.