If you’re heading the the Meadowlands Racetrack for the 99th Hambletonian on Saturday, Aug. 3, there are some parking issues people should consider and other fun things to know.
Because the Soccer Champions Tour is happening at MetLife Stadium on the same day as the Hambletonian, there could be some arrival and parking snarls. Hambo Day guests should arrive at the racetrack before 2 p.m. to avoid issues.
When arriving, attendees should stay to the right when entering the toll plazas and let toll attendants know they are going to the Racetrack. If possible, people should use the Paterson Plank Road entrance to enter the Meadowlands Racetrack complex.
Doors open at 10 a.m. on Saturday, with giveaways beginning immediately, including a 2024 Hambletonian baseball cap for adults and children. The first race is at noon. Post time for the Hambletonian is 4:45 p.m. and 6:08 p.m. for the Hambletonian Oaks.
Hambo Day at Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment is a day of fun for the entire family, including legendary races, carnival rides, games, pony rides, hat contest, food trucks, live music, and giveaways.
Read more: Catch the $1M Hambletonian at Meadowlands Racetrack
Admission is $5. While lawn and beach chairs are permitted in the Backyard, no outside food or beverages are allowed, nor are coolers, beach umbrellas, and tents.
Of the many highlights on Hambo Day, don’t miss Emmy Award-winning TV personality, style expert, fashion designer, interior designer, and New York Times best-selling author Carson Kressley, the 2024 Hambletonian Ambassador.
Kressley, a lifelong horseman who owns and shows Saddlebreds and Standardbreds Roadsters, will will present the trophies for both races.
He will ride a saddlebred from North Wind Stables in Hardwick, New Jersey, to lead the post parades for both the $1 Million Hambletonian and $525,000 Hambletonian Oaks.
Carson is also judging the Hambletonian Hat Contest. Fans are encouraged to bring their most creative hat to win the grand prize in the $500 hat contest. Prizes will also be awarded for second place $250, third place $100, fourth place $50, and the most elegant hat wins $100. Contestants can sign up until 2:30 p.m .in the Clubhouse Lobby. Kressley will judge the hats from the winner’s circle following race 9.
He told Horse Illustrated that he owns about 25 horses on his family farm in Pennsylvania and his sister and niece also have horses. Kressley’s family has been involved in horses since he was a child.
“First and foremost, I think American Saddlebreds are the most beautiful horses,” he told the magazine in March. “I’m a real beauty junkie, so I like to have a pretty house, pretty clothes, and pretty horses.” He has served on the board of the American Saddlebred Museum for 15 years.
Can’t make it to the Meadowlands Racetrack for Hambletonian?
Here is how to catch the races on television.
About Carson Kressley
Carson started his career as an independent stylist and became invaluable to prominent designers such as Ralph Lauren. He became a breakout star on Bravo’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, which won a primetime Emmy and gave him a worldwide following. In collaborations with Oprah Winfrey, Carson revolutionized America’s personal fashion sense of style. He’s hosted multiple TV shows, including Lifetime’s How to Look Good Naked, & ABC’s True Beauty, and has appeared as a fashion critic and commentator numerous shows.
