Big M To Introduce Classified Racing
The Meadowlands Racetrack will introduce 'ABC Racing' when the track re-opens on December 28.
ABC Racing categorizes horses into 'A,' 'B' and 'C' rankings, replacing conditions determined by money earnings. This permits the racing secretary to create races in which the entrants are most competitive and equal in ability.
After a meeting of Meadowlands Chairman Jeff Gural, Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey President Tom Luchento and Hall of Fame driver John Campbell, it was agreed to move forward with the new format.
“We think the best racing can be accomplished by classifying horses by their ability and not their money earnings,” Luchento said. “The goal is to have full fields and competitive fields. We think ABC Racing will facilitate both objectives.”
“We are going to experiment with classified racing (ABC) versus conditioned racing as a way to classify horses,” said Meadowlands Director of Racing and Racing Secretary Peter Koch. “We are hopeful this method will yield even more competitive racing for our fans. We will still have non-winners of two races lifetime as well as non-winners of three races lifetime for the younger horses and claiming races at every level.
“Classified racing has horses evaluated by the racing secretary and moved up and down in class based upon performance,” Koch noted. “We look forward to bringing the public the great racing product the Meadowlands has always had.”
The Meadowlands resumes live racing on December 28 and 29 and, subject to the approval of the New Jersey Racing Commission, will have a 2013 schedule from January 3 to August 3 plus November 23 to December 28 for a total of 82 dates.
The application for Meadowlands Racetrack’s revised 2013 January and February late closing program is now available at meadowlandsracetrack.com
(SBOANJ/Meadowlands Racetrack)
The caliber of racing at the
The caliber of racing at the big m is a shadow of what it used to be in the 80's and 90's. As a matter of fact when compared to the old days it is enough to bring a tear to your eyes. So i am not sure how much the a, b, c system will help or hurt. As more and more of the top horses flock to tracks like yonkers, pocono and dover the caliber of racing at the big m will only get worse. What i would suggest they do is offer a class for the really, really cheap horses who can't compete in the C classification and call it what it is, non winners of a ham sandwich last 6 starts.
Thank you big m!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you big m!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope other tracks use this format as well!!!!
Good move. Maybe you won,t
Good move. Maybe you won,t see horses race five times without getting a check