MUSCLE HILL TO GREET HIS FANS ON HAMBLETONIAN DAY AT BIG M
As if the plethora of activities weren’t enough to get you off the couch and heading to The Meadowlands for Hambletonian 100 Day on Saturday (Aug. 2), once track-goers get to the mile oval, they will have an opportunity to meet and greet one of the best of all time ...
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- July 31, 2025 -- As if the plethora of activities weren’t enough to get you off the couch and heading to The Meadowlands for Hambletonian 100 Day on Saturday (Aug. 2), once track-goers get to the mile oval, they will have an opportunity to meet and greet one of the best of all time.
The great Muscle Hill, regarded by many in the harness game as the greatest horse the sport has ever seen, will be in the Backyard from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The 2009 Hambletonian champion, unbeaten in 12 starts during his 3-year-old campaign, will be available for picture taking. For those looking for a cool souvenir, patrons can enter the “losing ticket drawing” for a chance to win a Muscle Hill hoof print autograph or poster.
Need more? How about Muscle Hill won’t be the only star in the house.
Market Share, winner of the 2012 Hambletonian, will be on hand leading the post parade for the Hambletonian as the track’s Alumni Ambassador.
For more Hambletonian Day fun, the Backyard will be filled with inflatables, a mechanical shark, carnival games, music by DJ ALX and face painters.
For those who’d like to meet their favorite horsemen face-to-face, they should head to the HarnessRacing.com tent between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to get autographs and take some photos with many of the trainers and drivers who will be participating on the Hambo Day program.
NEED TO KNOW BASIS: What follows is a list of things fans attending the Hambletonian need to know before attending the races:
· Gates open at 10 a.m.
· Admission is $5; all paying adults will receive a Hambletonian baseball cap
· There will be a cigar roller on the Paddock Level
· Food trucks will be on the East Apron and throughout the Backyard
· Kiddie rides will be available from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
· Hambletonian Hat contest: 1:40 p.m. (after race 5; will be judged by TV personality Carson Kressley)
· Best-dressed contest: 2:05 p.m. (after race 6; will be judged by influencer Caitlyn Warakomski)
· Interviews with Kressley, New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman, Big M Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Gural, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hambletonian Society John Campbell and Editor of DRF Harness Derick Giwner will be conducted during the course of the card on the in-house simulcast show
· Hambletonian drivers’ parade: 4:05 p.m.
· Last-race post time: 6:48 p.m.
HAMBO DAY STAKES: The Hambletonian Day card is the strongest of the year in the sport.
Need proof?
This is the list of the stakes events that will be contested on Saturday:
· $1,000,000 Hambletonian
· $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks
· $227,350 Cane Pace
· $95,650 Shady Daisy
· $300,000 John Cashman Memorial
· $181,000 Dr. John Steele Memorial
· $262,050 Sam McKee Memorial (2 divisions)
· $139,000 Lady Liberty
· $225,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes final (2-year-old colt and gelding trot)
· $225,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes final (2-year-old filly trot)
· Total: $3,155,050
BETTING BONANZA: The action on Hambletonian Day promises to be fast and furious, and features three 50-cent Pick-4 wagers instead of the usual two. In addition, four of the multi-leg wagers on the program will offer guaranteed pools totaling $350,000.
The featured Hambletonian Day wagers are:
· Races 1-6: 20-cent Pick-6 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
· Races 3-7: 20-cent Pick-5 ($75,000 guaranteed pool)
· Races 5-8: 50-cent Pick-4
· Races 6-12: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7
· Races 9-12: 50-cent Pick-4 ($125,000 guaranteed pool)
· Races 12-15: 50-cent Pick-4 ($100,000 guaranteed pool)
POST TIME FOR THE BIG ONES: Hambletonian Day will feature a 16-race card. The first race will get underway at noon. Post time for the Hambletonian (Race 12) is 4:47 p.m. The Hambletonian Oaks (Race 10) will head to the gate at 3:37 p.m.
HAMBLETONIAN DAY TV: In addition to coverage on FOX 5 from 3-6 p.m. of the 100th Hambletonian, there are other ways to view what happens on the biggest day in harness racing.
They are:
· CBS Sports Network: Sunday, Aug. 3, 3 p.m. (replay)
· PrimeTime Racing: All day coverage
· Racetrack Television Network: (rtn.tv) Free streaming of The Meadowlands In-house show from playmeadowlands.com
· Meadowlands Facebook page: All day coverage
· Meadowlands YouTube channel: All day coverage
· HarnessRacing.com Preview Show: Hosted by Wendy Ross and Emily Gaskin; live at 11 a.m. on Vimeo and USTA social media platforms Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube
· FanDuel TV: Live on-site
BIG M STILL FOXY: For a fifth consecutive year, the TV teams at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and The Meadowlands are combining forces to bring high-caliber harness racing stakes events to a coast-to-coast audience over the networks of FOX Sports as part of NYRA’s “America’s Day at the Races” telecasts.
The next broadcast will be Hambletonian Day, Saturday (Aug. 2), when the 100th edition of the $1-million Hambletonian can be seen in the New York-Metropolitan area on FOX 5 New York from 3-6 p.m.
Here is the schedule for the remaining FOX Sports shows, with the event(s) that will be featured and the time the show will be broadcast. Which FOX network the show can be found on – Fox 5 New York (locally), FS1 or FS2 – will be determined:
· August 2 – Hambletonian 100, 3-6 p.m., FOX 5
· September 5 – New Jersey Classic Series finals, 8-11 p.m., TBA
· November 1 – Kindergarten finals, 8-11 p.m., TBA
· November 15 – Fall Final Four, 8-11 p.m., TBA
THEY ARE FA-REEE! 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.
WHEN IS LIVE RACING? This weekend, live racing takes place on Friday (Aug. 1) beginning at 6:20 p.m. Then, on Hambletonian Day, Saturday (Aug. 2), the only card that takes place entirely during the day starts at noon.
Live harness action will then continue throughout August with racing on Friday and Saturday nights at the usual start time of 6:20 p.m.
There are two exceptions. Because of preseason football at MetLife Stadium, there will be no racing on Saturday, Aug. 16, and Friday, Aug. 22.
CATCH THE SHOW: Check out the live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pregame show this weekend. The presentation kicks off approximately 40 minutes before post time for the first race.
At the conclusion of Friday night’s opening of the mic, track announcer Ken Warkentin will then throw to the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set, where The Big M’s Dave Little and Jessica Otten will provide news, notes, selections and a look at the night’s featured races.
On Saturday, there will be a laundry list of talent seen throughout the day. The pregame show and race-by-race analysis will be provided by host Dave Little and co-host John Rallis.
During the course of the 16-race program, Jessica Otten, Jenna Otten and Gabe Prewitt will also contribute to the simulcast presentation.
Prewitt will provide analysis and selections for FanDuel TV on Friday before FDTV’s own Dave Weaver anchors coverage on-site on Saturday.
TIME TO WIN A CAR: On Friday, if you have to walk to get to The Meadowlands, it’s OK. You might be able to drive home in a new car.
When there is live racing, fans can get involved in Horseplay by picking up a free toy horse to toss. Participants attempt to throw their numbered horse into the window of a moving car. A winner, randomly chosen from all the horses that make it into the vehicle, will receive a $100 betting voucher. The 27 winners will be entered into the Horseplay final drawing on Friday (Aug. 1) for a chance to win a 2025 Toyota GR86.
SOCIALLY SUPERIOR: Everything Meadowlands is 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 trio of Otten (@JessicaOtten1), Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).
A GREAT NIGHT OUT: Looking to book a corporate event or private party? The Meadowlands has unlimited event possibilities. The redesigned Gallery with multiple TVs, private bar and balcony overlooking the FanDuel Sportsbook is perfect for game days, watch parties and more.
To book your private party, email alokshin@playmeadowlands.com.
FANDUEL IS NO. 1: Meadowlands regulars know that if they want action on professional and college sports, all they have to do is head for the FanDuel Sportsbook, which is the No. 1 facility of its kind in all of North America.
It couldn’t be easier to access, as it’s located inside the grandstand at The Big M.
The book has massive TV screens and self-service betting terminals, which enable fans to watch and wager in comfort while having some great food and drink.
On Thursday (July 31), the Tampa Bay Rays are in the Bronx for a 1:05 p.m. game with the New York Yankees.
The Rays are a -116 favorite in the game that has an under/over of 8½ runs.
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.
