When harness live racing kicks off on Saturday, Feb. 15, fans and horsepeople will notice a new 2024 Ford 150 starting gate.
Designed and built by Michigan-based Don Marotta, the new staggered starting gate provides a 14-foot advantage for the horse in the 10th spot on the gate. The Meadowlands’ previous starting gate allowed for a 12-foot advantage. The gate attempts to level the chances of those horses starting from the outside posts.
“A staggered gate is something the drivers and trainers have been asking for a while,” according to Jason Settlemoir, COO & GM of Meadowlands Racetrack. “When it was time to replace our old gate, Jeff [Gural] and I decided on the staggered gate. We want to make it as even a playing field as we can for both the horsemen and our wagering public.”
The gate was tested during qualifiers on Saturday morning by Meadowlands starter Merle “Moe” LaFontaine.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)