Harness: Documentary showcases Hambletonian "Glory"

Much has changed since the year 2000 when the Y2K transition dominated millennium fears and Tiger Woods was ranked as the world’s greatest golfer.

What has remained constant over the past 25 years is the Hambletonian at the Meadowlands, which has continued to unfold each year as the premier event in harness racing, producing unforgettable human and equine stories.

The 100th Anniversary of the Hambletonian: The Road to Glory, a documentary presented by the Hambletonian Society, chronicles America’s Trotting Classic from 2000 through 2025. The film begins with Yankee Paco, the first Canadian-sired Hambletonian winner, whose victory signaled the growing international participation in the race, and concludes with Nordic Catcher S, driven and trained by Swedish Hall of Famer Åke Svanstedt, trotting into the history books as the 100th winner of the Hambletonian.

The documentary culminates with highlights from the landmark 100th Hambletonian, contested on Aug. 2, 2025, and serves as the closing feature of a 60-minute retrospective celebrating the brightest jewel in the Trotting Triple Crown. The program will air on CBS Sports Network on Sunday, Aug. 2, at 3 p.m. (EDT).

Produced by the award-winning team at Cujo Productions, the documentary features a script by 12-time Hervey Award winner Dave Briggs and narration by Greg Blanchard, who hosted Hambletonian coverage on CBS Sports Network from 2021 through 2025. Blanchard's historical perspective and distinctive narration bring the century-long story of the Hambletonian to life. Following its television premiere, the documentary will also stream across all Hambletonian Society and Meadowlands social media platforms beginning Monday, Aug. 3.

The Hambletonian has been contested at several different venues in its 100-year history, but the longest running host site is the one-mile oval of the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J., which will present the 101st Hambletonian on Saturday, Aug. 8, for the 45th consecutive year.

Each year the Hambletonian brings together the top horses, trainers and drivers from around the world, provides a showcase for the hopes and dreams of every owner, breeder and caretaker, and delivers an extraordinary sporting event for spectators and bettors.

The Road to Glory relives the last 25 years of the “Greatest Day in Harness Racing.”

-release (Hambletonian Society)