Meadowlands Racetrack facts for kids
The Meadowlands Racetrack Grandstand
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| Location | East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.A. |
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| Coordinates | 40°49′03″N 74°04′21″W / 40.81750°N 74.07250°W |
| Owned by | New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority |
| Operated by | New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC |
| Date opened | September 1, 1976 |
| Screened on | Fox Sports |
| Race type | Harness Thoroughbred |
| Course type | Dirt Turf |
| Notable races | Hambletonian Meadowlands Pace Cane Pace |
The Meadowlands Racetrack, also known as Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment, is a famous place for horse racing in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. People often call it "The Big M." Here, you can watch two main types of horse races: thoroughbred racing and harness racing. The track offers horse racing all year long and has many places to eat and relax.
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About The Big M
The Meadowlands Racetrack is part of the larger Meadowlands Sports Complex. It's a popular spot for families and friends to enjoy exciting horse races. Besides the races, there are also restaurants and bars for visitors.
A Look Back: Meadowlands History
The Meadowlands Racetrack first opened its doors in the mid-1970s. The very first harness racing event happened on September 1, 1976. Thoroughbred racing started a little later, on September 6, 1977. Usually, thoroughbred races take place in the autumn. Harness races fill up the rest of the year.
When thoroughbred racing began, a catchy slogan was used: "Racing with the Moon." This referred to the races happening in the evening. Today, most races still take place at night, though some holiday events are held in the afternoon.
Racing Milestones and Records
"The Big M" is famous for its fast harness races. This is because of its wide turns and long straight sections. On opening night, a horse named Rambling Willie set a new record for the fastest harness mile in New Jersey. In 2019, Lather Up matched a world record for a standardbred horse, finishing a mile in 1 minute and 46.8 seconds. Then, in 2023, Confederate set an even newer world record, completing a mile in just 1 minute and 46.1 seconds!
The Meadowlands Racetrack has hosted the Hambletonian Stakes since 1981. This is a very important race for trotting horses. Since 2015, it has also hosted the Cane Pace, another major harness race.
New Look for the Racetrack
In 2011, a new company took over running the Meadowlands. They invested $110 million to make big improvements. This included building a brand-new grandstand. The old grandstand closed for racing in November 2013. The new, modern grandstand opened on November 23, 2013. It can seat 2,200 people and had about 15,000 visitors on its opening night. The old grandstand was eventually taken down in 2022.
In 2018, the Meadowlands also hosted the championship for the AMA Pro American Flat Track Championship. This is a motorcycle racing series. Later that year, a sports betting area called FanDuel opened at the track.
Track Features and Design
The main dirt track at the Meadowlands is 1 mile (about 1.6 kilometers) long. Inside this, there's a turf (grass) course for thoroughbreds, which is 7 furlongs (about 1.4 kilometers) long. The track is designed to be "standard" for American racetracks. It has a long stretch to the finish line, making for exciting finishes. The main track is 90 feet (about 27 meters) wide, and the turf course is 80 feet (about 24 meters) wide. The track has lights for night racing, which is when most events happen.
In the center of the track, there's a lake shaped like the state of New Jersey! The new grandstand is a large building with four floors. It also has an area outside that can hold up to 10,000 people.
Getting to the Racetrack
It's easy to get to the Meadowlands Racetrack. You can drive there using Exit 16W on the New Jersey Turnpike. NJ Transit also offers bus service from the Port Authority Bus Terminal. There's even a train service on the Meadowlands Rail Line that stops right at the Meadowlands station.
Exciting Races and Events
The Meadowlands Racetrack hosts many important races for both thoroughbred and standardbred horses. Some of the well-known thoroughbred races that used to be held here include the Meadowlands Cup and the Pegasus Stakes.
For standardbreds, the track hosts many famous races. These include the Hambletonian Stakes and the Meadowlands Pace. Other popular races are the Miss Versatility, Golden Girls, and the Stanley Dancer Memorial. The Cane Pace and Hambletonian Oaks are also big events.
See also
- Gambling in New Jersey
