Meadowlands: Summer sizzle sets up schedule shakeup
A dangerous heat dome is currently affecting Northern New Jersey – which includes East Rutherford – bringing stifling humidity and heat index values in the upper 90s to low 100s through the July 4 weekend.
As a result, the intense weather conditions have made it necessary for management at The Meadowlands to make some changes for the upcoming holiday weekend.
First of all, the live program of racing that was scheduled to take place tonight (Thursday, July 2) has been canceled. That card has been moved to Thursday, July 9.
Due to anticipated heat indices that could reach the mid-100s, post time on Friday (July 3) is 25 minutes later than usual. The first of 12 races will get underway at 7 p.m., late enough for racing to be conducted safely as temperatures come down.
Finally, Saturday (July 4) is a huge night of racing and fun. The forecast high temperature that day is close to 100, but a stray shower or thunderstorm could help make things more comfortable.
Post time for the 11-race program is 6 p.m. The early post is necessary with the track presenting a fantastic fireworks show to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The last race is scheduled to go at approximately 10:35 p.m. with the free fireworks presentation to follow shortly thereafter.
For more fireworks information, go here.
The race card will be stocked with explosive stars who will burn up the track as a single elimination for the $810,000 Meadowlands Pace presented by Genova Burns LLC highlights the program. In addition, there will be a pair of Stan Bergstein Graduate Series finals, one for pacers and one on the trot, each of which will go for $230,000. Also on the card will be the $153,200 Perfect Sting, $168,100 Dave Brower Memorial, $129,400 Six Pack and $131,250 JL Cruze.
“After a remarkably tough winter, here we are dealing with a brutal heat wave,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “So, we decided to make some moves that will protect our equine athletes and the people who care for them. Everybody has to realize that these kinds of temperatures are no joke, so everyone who is participating in the races, or, for that matter, coming out to the races, has to be aware of how they are feeling and take care of themselves by limiting how long they are out in the heat while always keeping hydrated.”
THE BABIES GET UP EARLY: There will be 10 baby races/qualifiers contested Saturday morning at 8 a.m. for those who want to get a glimpse at some of the stars of tomorrow.
Matt Zuccarello will be back calling the action for a third time.
CATCH IT ON FOX: Saturday night’s huge racing program is too good to just be seen locally, which is why all seven stakes events on the Big M card will be shown to a nationwide audience as part of the New York Racing Association’s (NYRA) “America’s Day at the Races” series.
The three-hour live broadcast can be seen on Fox Sports 1 (FS1) and will begin at 8 p.m. Providing commentary and analysis will be the team of Jessica Otten and Gabe Prewitt.
The presentation is the second of seven that will feature Big M races during the 2026 stakes season. FS1 will come right back on July 11 at 8 p.m. with a show that features the $810,000 Meadowlands Pace final presented by Genova Burns LLC.
-edited release (by Dave Little for The Meadowlands)