Harness: Bids are in for Hambletonian; BOD to meet March 15

The bids are in and now the future of the Hambletonian rests in the hands of the Board of Directors at the Hambletonian Society.

March 1 was the deadline for tracks to bid for the 2027 and beyond rights to host the G1 $1,000,000 Hambletonian for 3-year-old trotters, the G1 $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks for sophomore trotting fillies and the G1 $400,000E E.T. Gerry Hambletonian Maturity for 4-year-old trotters. All three races will continue to be held at the Meadowlands in 2026.

Published reports have Harrah's Hoosier Park and Woodbine Mohawk Park as submitting multi-year bids while the Meadowlands has simply stated that they would be bidding without providing a firm contract length.

Hambletonian Society President and CEO John Campbell was not willing to comment on the details of the offers but was thrilled with the interest shown in the races.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

"I didn't know what to expect," admitted Campbell on the bidding process. "I'm very happy about the enthusiasm and commitment from the bidders."

The next step in the process of deciding which track will gain the rights to the three races is a March 15 Board of Directors meeting. Campbell was unsure if a decision would be made during that session or if it will be pushed a bit further down the road.

"It is up to the Board and how the discussion goes," said Campbell, who added there was no rush to make a choice. "When you rush poor decisions are made, and I think the Board feels the same way."

The Hambletonian Society Board, which consists of a number of prominent industry figures from North America, including a number of Hall of Famers, is not scheduled to meet again until early October during the meet at The Red Mile in Kentucky, but that doesn't mean a decision will be held over for half a year. Campbell said the Board can have a Zoom meeting at any time to make a final decision.