Meadowlands
Media Relations
East Rutherford, NJ - The 95th Hambletonian on Saturday, August
8th will look very different on-track in 2020 due to COVID-19. Due to limited attendance capacities and
COVID protocols, onsite attendance is limited to horsemen dining on the West
Deck and guests dining in the Backyard.
There will be no
reserved seats sold this year for the Hambletonian.
The Clubhouse entrance will be open for those dining on the West Deck, in the Backyard or betting in the FanDuel Sportsbook.
Guests must make dining reservations for track admittance and guaranteed seating. All must wear face coverings while not at their table, have their temperature checked and complete a brief health questionnaire. No one with a temperature exceeding 100.4 will be allowed to enter. All are also encouraged to download and fill out the required the health questionnaire (available here) to speed up the check-in process. There is no valet parking available.
The Backyard BBQ & Grill is open for dining
with waitress & take-out service.
Grilled items including burgers, sausage and hot dogs will also be
available along with brisket, ribs and mac & cheese. Reservations for Backyard dining can be made
by emailing Jennifer Jordan at jjordan@arkrestuarants.com
Horse owners racing on
Hambletonian day can dine on the West Deck.
It has a $49.95 pre fixe menu featuring a variety of cold salads,
grilled NY Strip and salmon, Louisiana-style mac & cheese and grilled to
order chicken, burgers and hot dogs. A
selection of pre-packaged desserts will also be available.
Reservations are required for the West Deck and dining must be prepaid. Reservations can be made by calling Marianne Rotella at 201-842-5059 or emailing mrotella@playmeadowlands.com.
To adhere to all COVID-19 protocols the
Meadowlands has implemented the following measures:
- All guest seating has been
6 ft social distanced
- Hand
sanitizer has been placed throughout the grandstand
- All
high touch surfaces will be frequently wiped down throughout the day
including all self-service machines, door handles and counter-tops
- No food or beverage is
permitted inside the grandstand.
Guests are able to order from a waitress and eat and drink outside
on the apron tables.
- Smoking
is only permitted on the outdoor apron
Can't make it to the Hambletonian? The entire stakes filled race card
will be streamed live on the Meadowlands Racetrack’s Facebook page and brand
new designs as well as vintage Hambo merchandise is available for sale on hambletonianshop.com.
CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour home of CBS Sports, will present a delayed 60-minute broadcast of the $1 million Hambletonian and $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks from The Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, N.J., on Sat., Aug. 8, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. [EDT] Both races have scheduled eliminations the week before on Sat., Aug. 1. The Hambletonian is the first and most prestigious leg of the Trotting Triple Crown. CBS Sports Network has been the broadcast home of the Hambletonian since 2012.
All updated racing and dining information can be found at PlayMeadowlands.com.
