The Meadowlands Racetrack recently announced updates for the 2026 stakes season, including over $18.5 million in purses that will be distributed across both Grand Circuit and New Jersey-restricted stakes from April to November. Some of the major events that highlight the season include the Meadowlands Pace and the $1 million Hambletonian.
The Championship Meet begins on May 1, immediately followed by a marquee Kentucky Derby card on May 2. The Grand Circuit season for older horses begins on Saturday, May 16 with the first leg of the Miss Versatility series scheduled for the following week on May 23.
June Stakes action kicks off on Friday, June 5 with Leg 2 of the New Jersey Sire Stakes (NJSS) for trotters. The following week features the 2026 Meadowlands debut of the Graduate Series, with the event continuing on June 20, alongside the NJSDF Finals.
On Saturday, July 4, the Meadowlands Racetrack will be holding an Independence Day celebration. The night includes Meadowlands Pace eliminations, Graduate Finals, the Crawford, Six Pack, Brower and Perfect Sting, as well as the Reynolds Stakes and a free fireworks show to conclude the evening. On Saturday, July 11, the Meadowlands Racetrack will be hosting the Meadowlands Pace, which features a $656,000 purse, as well as the $400,000 Hambletonian Maturity.
Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks eliminations will be taking place on Aug. 1, along with the fourth leg of Miss Versatility, as well as Tompkins-Geers Stakes. On Friday, Aug. 7, the Meadowlands Racetrack will be hosting the NJSS two-year-old pace finals, NJSS Silver Series, the Muscle Hill for three-year-old colt trotters, the Continental Victory for three-year-old filly trotters and the third leg of the Kindergarten Series. The following day, Aug. 8, the 101st Hambletonian, which features a purse of $1 million. The action-packed day also includes the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks, among other events, as well as entertainment and activities.
On Friday, Sept. 4, the fifth leg of Miss Versatility will be taking place alongside NJCS eliminations. The following week, on Sept. 11, the Meadowlands Racetrack will host the NJCS finals.
The Renaissance Stakes will be taking place on Saturday, Oct. 17, with the fifth leg of the Kindergarten Series following over the next week. On Halloween, Oct. 31, the Kindergarten Classic Finals will be hosted at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
The month of November marks the final month of the 2026 stakes season and the Meadowlands Racetrack will be featuring a strong lineup, including the FanDuel Championships. The Meadowlands Racetrack is in store for a busy and action-packed 2026, with plenty of races for fans to look out for.
For more information regarding the Meadowlands Racetrack’s 2026 stakes season, visit https://playmeadowlands.com/stakes-information/.