Dexter Cup signals start of road to the Hambletonian

East Windsor, NJ – The Road to the 100th edition of the Hambletonian begins with the Dexter Cup (G3) and filly division Lady Suffolk, slated for Saturday (May 3), at the new host track, The Meadowlands in East Rutherford, NJ.

With the recent and unexpected closing of Freehold Raceway, the Dexter Cup, which was first raced at the New Jersey half-miler in 1960, was quickly picked up by Meadowlands management, though they opted to race the stake in divisions rather than eliminations and a final as Freehold did.

Entries are due by 9 a.m. Tuesday morning (April 29) at the Meadowlands race office. The condition sheet can be found here: https://playmeadowlands.com/condition-sheets/.

Of the 10 eligible after the Feb. 15 payment, six are also eligible to the 100th Hambletonian (G1) in August. They are: Blown Call, Civilian Drone, Hard Seven, Manolo Hanover, My Degenerate, and Tactical Dynasty. The list of eligibles can be found at Dexter and Lady Suffolk Eligibles. Eligibles for all Hambletonian Stakes can be found at https://www.hambletonian.com/eligibles.

In their new locale, the Dexter Cup and Lady Suffolk continue to serve as the kick-off Grand Circuit events for the path to the Hambletonian. Dexter Cup winners have gone on to Hambletonian victory five times: Speedy Scot, Nevele Pride, Lindy’s Pride, Armbro Goal, and American Winner. Hambo winner Market Share was the favorite in the 2012 Dexter Cup but made a break.

Saturday also marks the beginning of the Meadowlands Championship Season, featuring a stakes-laden calendar and $18 million in purses, Fox NYRA TV coverage, fun events and dining experiences, all leading up to the greatest day in Harness Racing…Hambletonian Day, Saturday, Aug. 2.

From the Hambletonian Society