Meadowlands: New policy on racing horses barefoot

By now, it's common knowledge that trainer/driver Ake Svanstedt pulled all four shoes on Hambletonian winner Captain Corey just before the race and commented afterward that he felt that racing the horse barefooted played a significant role in the win.

What did not happen as successfully was the passing of that information along to our wagering customers in time for them to include it in their handicapping.

The knowledge that a horse will be racing barefoot would be information just as important to a horseplayer as a shoeing change, bridle change or hopple lengthening.

As a result, when live racing returns on Friday, September 3, The Meadowlands will require trainers to report their intent to remove a horse's shoes to the judges or paddock judge no later than 90 minutes before post time for the first race for each racing card.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

This will allow time for the change to be reported to the public by the TV talent in advance of any horizontal wagers and be discussed by them as they provide their analysis.

The horse must race as reported, with the possible exception of a significant change in track condition due to weather. In that case the trainer must report to the paddock judge that the shoes will remain on the horse.

It shall be the responsibility of the trainer to report any such changes. The failure to do so or to race the horse as reported without the permission of the judges may result in penalty.

-release (Meadowlands)