Meadowlands Racetrack

Race Tracks > Meadowlands Racetrack

Notable Stakes and Listed Racing Events Inaugurated at Meadowlands Racetrack*

• Monmouth Cup Stakes (G3) | 3-year-olds and up going 1-1/8 mi.
• Pegasus Stakes (G3) | 3-year-olds going 1-1/16 mi.
• Violet Stakes (G3) | Fillies & Mares 3-years-old and up going 1-1/16 mi.

*All three races are now hosted at Monmouth Park Racetrack

Meadowlands Racetrack Racing and Track History

Opened in 1976, the Meadowlands Racetrack (known affectionately by locals as "The Big M") has been hosting thoroughbred and harness racing in New Jersey. With most post times coming in the evening, one of its earliest advertising campaigns featured the slogan "Racing with the Moon", a tagline used by noted bandleader Vaughn Monroe for his signature song.

Although Autumn is dedicated to thoroughbred racing, Meadowlands features harness racing year around. Track elements have contributed to some rather atypical race times. Opening night saw Rambling Willie set the record for fastest mile in the state of New Jersey by turning in a time of 1:55.60. In 2019, Lather Up matched the 1 mile world record with a time of 1:46.00. Each August, Meadowlands also plays host to the Hamiltonian Stakes, the first leg of the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Trotters.

Throughout the 1990's, several efforts to buy and convert Meadowlands into a NASCAR track were made and ultimately scrapped when the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority stepped in and privatized the track, selling to real estate developer Jeffrey Gural of Newmark Knight Frank. As a result, significant track improvements were made with a new grandstand being built to the tune of $110 million.