The Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, New Jersey, is hosting the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance Race on Saturday, Jan. 17, during the night’s 4th race. There will also be a chili cookoff and watch parties for the NFL’s AFC playoffs.
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance Race is a TrackMaster 74.5 pace, a dash featuring all African-American drivers. About 50% of the drivers for Saturday’s special race are 25 years old or younger, and a few are making their Big M debuts.
▶ Zyler Maxwell, 19
▶ OD Johnson, 19
▶ Jalen Gray, 21
▶ William Carter, 22
▶ Adarryl Gates, 25
All Eyes On Rising Star Carter
Harness driver William Carter from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a rising star in the sport, having won the MLK Pace at the Meadowlands Racetrack in 2023 when he was just 18. He also distinguished himself on the Maryland circuit and was awarded the Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association Rising Star of the Year title in 2024.
He will go for his second MLK win with Warrawee Xceed, a Canadian-bred Standardbred pacer, and son of Sportswriter and Warrawee Koine. The “Warrawee” name is prominent in harness racing, associated with Warrawee Farm in Rockwood, Ontario, Canada, a small commercial breeder owned by Dr. Mike Wilson and Dr. Julie Yager.
So far, Carter has won 404 races since 2023, according to his stats on Sky Racing World. In 2025, he won 173 races, and this year he has already won 89.
“He’s [Dr. King] had a lot of significance [on my life],” Carter said in a Facebook Post. “He wanted everyone to be equal. [With regard to race relations in this country.] It’s getting better. We try to treat everyone the way we want to be treated,” Carter said in a statement.
Carter was introduced to the sport at an early age by his father, Billy, a first-generation horseman. “I always wanted to be a driver from Day 1,” said William Carter, who
Harness Racing, Chili Cook Off With Tastings, NFL Playoffs
Harness post time on Friday and Saturday is 6:20 p.m., while Sunday racing will begin at 12:30 p.m.
The annual Winter Chili Cook-Off runs from 5-9 p.m., with free samples distributed for the People’s Choice vote following the 7 p.m. turn-in. The cook-off takes place in the Food Court and the outdoor East Apron. There will be cash prizes for winners and runners-up, Best Booth prizes, and World Championship qualification spots for ICS-sanctioned events.
See also: Calling All Cooks for the Meadowlands Racetrack’s Winter Chili Cookoff
Racetrack guests can also catch the AFC Divisional Playoffs at FanDuel Sportsbook and The Second Floor Lounge, which both feature giant screens, betting, food, and drinks.
The Buffalo Bills (13-5) face the Denver Broncos (14-3) at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS, the first playoff game in Denver in a decade. The San Francisco 49ers face the Seattle Seahawks at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
Super Bowl LX will be played Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
