Big M, SBOANJ set with New Jersey Classic Series

East Rutherford, NJ – The Meadowlands, in cooperation with the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey, will host and sponsor the New Jersey Classic Series (NJCS) in September of 2023 for harness racing purses estimated to be in excess of $2 million.

The NJCS will have two important changes from last year’s inaugural edition.

The “Horses eligible for nomination” clause has been amended to include those 2 & 3-year-old trotters and pacers that are eligible to the NJ Standardbred Development Fund (NJSDF) as per the conditions for those stakes, in addition to New Jersey sired horses. This revision will permit those foals raised in the Garden State that may not have been by a sire standing in NJ, to gain eligibility to another large purse regional event.

The conditions have also been revised to a simple elimination and final with possible consolation format. Elimination races for the NJCS are scheduled for the first weekend of September with the finals and consolations a week later.

Nomination and sustaining payments must be made to The Meadowlands for the NJCS to gain eligibility. The NJCS does not require any payment for the stake to have been made at age two for the horse to be nominated as a 3-year-old in 2023.

It is important to note that the NJCS is separate from the NJ Sires Stakes and NJ Development Fund stakes, which are administered to by the NJSS offices.

Information on all Meadowlands stakes may be found on the track website. Conditions for all stakes will be posted on ustrotting.com by early February. Questions are directed to (607) 972-5500.

From The Meadowlands