East Rutherford, NJ – The Meadowlands is pleased to announce that the 2026 stakes season will offer more than $18.5 million in purses, distributed across both Grand Circuit and New Jersey-restricted stakes from late April through November.
Headlining the season are the track’s signature events – the Meadowlands Pace anchors a spectacular card totaling more than $2.5 million in stakes purses on Saturday, July 11, while the 101st edition of America’s Trotting Classic, the $1 million Hambletonian, highlights an afternoon featuring nearly $2 million in supporting stakes on Saturday, Aug. 8.
May: Championship Meet Begins
The Championship Meet kicks off on Friday, May 1, followed immediately by a marquee Kentucky Derby Day card on Saturday, May 2, featuring the Dexter Cup, Lady Suffolk, and the opening leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes (NJSS) program for 3-year-old pacers. The Grand Circuit season for older horses begins on Saturday, May 16, led by the Arthur Cutler Memorial Free For All Trot, alongside the Garden State Stakes for 3-year-old colt and filly trotters. The first leg of the Miss Versatility series is scheduled for Saturday, May 23, at the East Rutherford mile oval. The card will also include the New Jersey Sire Stakes (NJSS) finals for pacers and Leg 1 for trotters.
June: Momentum Builds
Stakes action in June begins on Friday, June 5, with Leg 2 of the NJSS for trotters. The Graduate Series makes its 2026 Meadowlands debut on Friday, June 12, with the second leg. The June 12 card will also include NJSS finals (3YO trotters) and NJSDF eliminations (3YO pacers). On Saturday, June 20, the Graduate Series will be contested along with the NJSDF Finals (3YO pacers).
July: Stakes Capital of the World
July once again positions the Meadowlands as the epicenter of the sport, with a calendar packed full of the world’s premier Standardbred events. On Saturday, July 4, the Meadowlands will feature an earlier-than-usual 6 p.m. post time, setting the stage for a stakes-laden Independence Day celebration. The evening includes Meadowlands Pace eliminations, Graduate finals, the Crawford, Six Pack, Brower, and Perfect Sting, along with Reynolds Stakes for 3-year-old colt and filly trotters, all leading into a free fireworks show. On Saturday, July 11, the spotlight shines brightly on Meadowlands Pace Night, featuring the Pace final, Dancer Memorial, Miller Memorial, Hambletonian Maturity (offering 4-year-old trotters a purse exceeding $400,000), and both Haughton Memorials (Dorothy and WR).
Additional July highlights include:
• Friday, July 3 – Kindergarten Series (2YO) – Leg 1
• Friday, July 10 – New Jersey Sire Stakes (2YO) – Leg 1
• Friday, July 17 – New Jersey Sire Stakes (2YO) – Leg 2
• Friday, July 24 – Kindergarten Series (2YO) – Leg 2
• Saturday, July 25 – Tompkins-Geers Stakes for 3-year-old colt and filly trotters
• Friday, July 31 – New Jersey Sire Stakes (2YO) – Leg 3
August: Hambletonian
August opens on Saturday, Aug. 1, with Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks eliminations, the fourth leg of Miss Versatility, and Tompkins-Geers Stakes for 3-year-old colt and filly pacers. On Friday, Aug. 7, the stakes action continues with the NJSS 2-year-old pace finals, NJSS Silver Series, the Muscle Hill for 3-year-old colt trotters, the Continentalvictory for 3-year-old filly trotters, and the third leg of the Kindergarten Series. Hambletonian Day, Saturday, Aug. 8, promises another unforgettable afternoon at the Meadowlands, with a noon (EDT) post time. The card features the 101st Hambletonian, Hambletonian Oaks, Cane Pace, Shady Daisy, Lady Liberty, Cashman Memorial, Dr. John Steele, and NJSS finals for 2-year-old colt and filly trotters.
The month continues:
• Friday, Aug. 14 – Home Grown Series (2-year-old colt and filly pacers)
• Friday, Aug. 21 – Garden State Stakes (2-year-old colt and filly trotters) and NJSDF eliminations for 3-year-old colt and filly trotters
• Friday, Aug. 28 – Kindergarten Series leg four and NJSDF finals for 3-year-old colt and filly trotters
September: Championship Conclusions
On Friday, Sept. 4, the fifth leg of Miss Versatility is contested alongside all NJCS eliminations. The NJCS finals will follow on Friday, Sept. 11, joined by the Girl Power (Mare Trot).
October: Kindergarten Spotlight
October’s stakes schedule is highlighted by the Renaissance Stakes for 2-year-old colt and filly pacers on Saturday, Oct. 17. The fifth leg of the Kindergarten Series will be contested on Oct. 23, with the Kindergarten Classic Finals taking center stage on Saturday, Oct. 31 (Halloween).
November: Grand Finale at the Big M
The 2026 stakes season concludes with a strong November lineup, all contested on Saturday nights:
• Saturday, Nov. 7 – NJSDF eliminations for 2-year-old trotters and pacers of both sexes
• Saturday, Nov. 14 – Fall Final Four and FanDuel Championships
• Saturday, Nov. 21 – NJSDF finals for all 2-year-olds, both sexes and gaits
The Meadowlands Racetrack recognizes and appreciates the continued support of its stakes’ sponsors, whose contributions make this ambitious program possible each year. Those interested in becoming a Meadowlands stakes sponsor are encouraged to inquire.
Stakes payments begin Feb. 15. Complete details are available on the Meadowlands website. Questions may be directed to 201-460-4025. All purses are estimates unless otherwise stated. All dates are subject to NJRC approval.