Banks at Meadowlands Show New Era

Over the past few weeks, bettors, trainers and drivers have been studying the effect of the new banks at the Meadowlands. Most of these civilians are changing their tactics when they handicap or have horses at the Meadowlands. But I am here to tell you that you should not change your tactics.

Opening night was a common night at the Meadowlands, with favorites, mild upsets and a few big bombs. One of the bombs was Marion Matilda, who returned $65.20 in the eighth race on January 6. She was shuffled and came back late, a common move most of the time at the Meadowlands. As the weeks go on, strategies are being modified.

The last week has shown that the Meadowlands is a closing track. But a bias shouldn’t make you alter your handicapping. Higher And Higher, who raced last night and provided a wire to wire victory at 3-5. Although she was the favorite, she defied the bias and a lot more horses will likely do that as the meet progresses.

People call it a “New Era” most likely for a reason they haven’t thought of as a possibility. If you did, I can’t read your mind. When Jeff Gural installed the banks he said he was hoping we could have the aggressive racing we did in the 70s’ through the 2000s. As observations say, that will never happen again. That was an old era that provided excitement for that time. But the New Era may be slightly equal to the old era, but they will never be the same.

The New Meadowlands in my opinion may be the best since the beginning in 1976. The banks are providing exciting racing that is greater than when the banks were first installed. Aside from the banks effects, it shouldn’t bias our handicapping because when you choose a certain running style, the other one likely beats you. Don’t bias your handicapping; handicap as you normally do because that’s what brought success.