Meadows to reduce post time “drag” 

In an effort to provide harness racing bettors a more consistent program, The Meadows has announced that beginning January 5, it will institute a new policy in regard to post time “drag.”

As soon as the post time clock changes from “1” to “0,” the starting gate will begin to move from its position on the backstretch near the paddock.  It will then roll continuously down the backstretch and through the turn, picking up the horses in the usual spot in front of the toteboard and releasing them on the backstretch.

“It’s difficult for people to know when to bet when a track sits on zero minutes to post for what seems like forever,” said Director of Racing Scott Lishia.  “Our hope is that when bettors see the gate start to move, they’ll realize that this is their final call, that once the gate starts rolling, unless there is some type of problem, it’s going to keep moving right to the start.”

The Meadows Racing’s TV crew will begin showing the gate car as soon as it moves from its position in front of the paddock, giving bettors a clear view so that they know the race is about to begin.

The 2022 racing season at The Meadows will begin on Wednesday, January 5, with racing on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons at 12:45.

by Jeff Zidek, for The Meadows