Hambletonian "Out To Bid" As Meadowlands Declines Exclusive Right To Renew

[Calhoun]

https://www.drf.com/news/harness-hambletonian-society-open-bidding-future-host-track-americas-trotting-classic

M1 will host in 2026 but did not exercise its exclusive Right to Renew which expired Sept 1, 2025.

[Kenny]

https://www.drf.com/news/harness-hambletonian-society-open-bidding-future-host-track-americas-trotting-classic

M1 will host in 2026 but did not exercise its exclusive Right to Renew which expired Sept 1, 2025.

Maybe it will be in KY...Oak Grove.

[Meadow Ford]

I believe conditions state it must be a mile track and raced in the daylight.

[Lockedin With Pace]

I think Gural is just looking for more sponsors to pay part of the purse because I don't think it's going anywhere.

[Meadow Ford]

I think Gural is just looking for more sponsors to pay part of the purse because I don't think it's going anywhere.

I agree

[Grandstand Handicapper]

I agree, I think this is more posturing by Gural. Maybe he's serious, maybe not. But with all the politics and posturing, all of this is causing more divisiveness. Sad state of affairs.

[Brown jug]

need to be careful here
 i like when some of these races go to the smaller areas as they can be unique and fun
for a start go back to heat racing on the same day no matter where it is raced
look at the doherty and the haughton, nice they are at hoosier but nobody gave a shit other than those racing in it

[Kole Hanover]

 Well Gural already won it, so no need to buy another one

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

I think it is pretty obvious The Red Mile will do whatever it can to win the Hambo bid.

[Laag]

the sport will die if the Hambo leaves the big m

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

the sport will die if the Hambo leaves the big m

LOL. Walk down any street. Ask 100 people what the Hambletonian is. Maybe one might know.

[Oliver Clozoff]

Bring it back to Goshen. They get a nice crowd for their July 4th races and you can't even bet.  The whole town comes out. Fuck those slot factories.

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

Bring it back to Goshen. They get a nice crowd for their July 4th races and you can't even bet.  The whole town comes out. Fuck those slot factories.

They aren't bringing the Hambletonian to a piece of shit half mile track.

[toothman]

i could be way off here, but i think M1 needs the hambo more than vice versa.
The race card on Hambo Day is the crown jewel of the meadowlands meet...
And the eliminations for these races leading up to the big races make for a nice July...
Seems like the east coast isnt the "mecca" it used to be---Indiana, ohio, and kentucky rising in prominence...
Anyone know what thehandle was on Hambo Day? seems to be what Gural cares about the most....

[Grandstand Handicapper]

I think the all in handle was about $7.5m, not including foreign wagering.

The Hambletonian Society oversees and manages over 150 races. It might not just be about the Hambo and Oaks. Those two could be the beginning. Playing chicken with the HS might not be a good idea, LOL. I think Gural knows exactly where the Hambo (and Oaks) would go if he doesn't go after it, so in the end, I think he's posturing for dollars. Contrary to what some people here think, he's not an idiot. Quite the contrary.