Harness Racing Question

[WildKat]

Can someone please tell me why the starter (car with gate) runs in front of the horses the entire way around the track till the end? I get running until you get to the backstretch or where ever there is a good place to stop, but they keep going the entire way. I have never understood this through all the years.

[iggs111]

Originally Posted by WildKat

Can someone please tell me why the starter (car with gate) runs in front of the horses the entire way around the track till the end? I get running until you get to the backstretch or where ever there is a good place to stop, but they keep going the entire way. I have never understood this through all the years.

entertainment is one reason.....if you notice most of the time people will get into the car before the race. Local track here called maywood park always takes people in the car and they take the trip around with the horses....

[Wabash Wonders]

I always thought that the race official(s) were in the car and followed the race around to see if there are any infractions during the race. I could be wrong, but always thought this was the reason.

[wire2wire]

AT NEW YORK TRACKS CAR FOLLOWS HORSES TO FAR TURN WHERE THERE IS AN EXIT GATE...w2w

[THE Sports PROFIT]

Originally Posted by WildKat

Can someone please tell me why the starter (car with gate) runs in front of the horses the entire way around the track till the end? I get running until you get to the backstretch or where ever there is a good place to stop, but they keep going the entire way. I have never understood this through all the years.

I've never seen this wildcat, all cars pull off at some point at tracks I've been to, so I think was Iggs says is right, it may be more of a promotional thing for the track....ride around for a race with the horses??...i guess that's a percieved benefit/treat for racegoers??? not me personally...and marketing depts have to use whatever necessary in this day and age of huge competition for the spectator dollar.

[WildKat]

I will check out the harness racing today on TVG and HRTV and see if I notice who does and doesn't. I'm pretty sure that when I was watching the Meadows yesterday that they were doing it. If its a marketing situation, then would it scare horses that arent used to having that sound of a vehicle running around the entire track?

[THE Sports PROFIT]

Originally Posted by WildKat

I will check out the harness racing today on TVG and HRTV and see if I notice who does and doesn't. I'm pretty sure that when I was watching the Meadows yesterday that they were doing it. If its a marketing situation, then would it scare horses that arent used to having that sound of a vehicle running around the entire track?

They never used to at the Meadows, so this is a change. Last time I was there was 06...so maybe it's a new thing. Marketing a guess on my part, simply due to what Iggs wrote was happening where he went. And yes, I agree a car engine nearby wouldn't be condusive to horse's comfort in my opinion.

[WildKat]

Ok.....Tonight I turn HRTV AND TVG on and thought I would check out Mayfield and Cal Expo...They both had the starter cars go all the way around the track.....and they arent way ahead of the horses or tailing them, they are mid pack....It's hard to believe that the horses aren't bothered by this.......I wonder if that should be part of handicapping harness racing? Which horses are used to it, and which ones are first time car starters.......

[iggs111]

I highly doubt the cars rattle the horses wildkat....its not exactly dead quiet on the track so I don't think it bothers harness horses that much......you do see a lot of harness horses break though so it may have something to do with it but I doubt it...off my local harness track's website here is what they offer. It's all entertainment guys

Your party will receive:
Free Admission
Free Maywood Program
Race Dedication
Winner's Circle Photo
Personalized Party Tickets
VIP Ride in Starter Car
All You Can Eat Buffet

[iggs111]

Here you go wildkat:

112-14-2. Duties of a harness race starter.
(a) The licensed starter shall be in the starting
car 15 minutes before the first race.

(b) After one or two preliminary warming
up scores, the licensed starter shall notify each
driver to come to the starting gate. During or
before the parade, the licensed starter shall
inform each driver of the number of scores
permitted.

(c) The licensed starter shall have control
over the horses from the parade until the word
"go" is given.

(d) The licensed starter shall notify the
stewards of any violations of these racing
regulations by any driver. Any driver violating
these rules of racing may be set down, fined or
suspended.

(e) The horses shall be brought to the
starting gate no nearer than one-eighth of a
mile before the start, unless otherwise required
by track construction or design.

(f) The licensed starter shall allow
sufficient time to increase the speed of the gate
gradually; the following minimum speeds shall
be maintained:

(1) For the first 1/8 mile, not less than 11
miles per hour; and
(2) for the next l/l6 of a mile not less than
18 miles per hour.
(3) for the first 3/16 mile or to the starting
point, whichever is less, the speed shall be
gradually increased until the mobile starting
gate pulls away from the field of horses.

(g) On one-mile tracks, each horse shall be
brought to the starting gate at the head of the
stretch and the relative speeds in subsection (f)
shall be maintained.

(h) The starting point shall be point-marked
on the inside rail not less than 150 feet from the
first turn. The licensed starter shall give the
word "go" at the starting point.

(i) There shall be no decrease in speed of
the mobile gate, except in the case of a recall.

(j) In the case of a recall, the licensed
starter shall leave the wings of the gate extended, and wherever possible, gradually
slow the speed of the mobile gate to assist in
stopping the field of horses. In an emergency,
the licensed starter shall determine whether to
close the wings of the gate.

(k) The licensed starter shall have control
of the horses from the formation of the parade
until the licensed starter gives the word "go."
Each horse, regardless of its position or an
accident, shall be a starter when the licensed
starter gives the word "go." Each horse shall
complete the course except in case of an
accident, broken equipment, or any other
reason which, in the opinion of the stewards or
the licensed starter makes it impossible to
complete the course.

(l) There shall be no recall for a horse that
breaks from its gait.

(m) Each licensed starter shall sound a
recall when:
(1) A horse scores ahead of the gate;
(2) there is interference;
(3) there is broken equipment;
(4) there is a malfunction of the starting
gate; or
(5) a horse falls before the word "go" is
given.

(n) A mechanical loudspeaker shall be
used only for giving instructions to drivers.
The volume shall be no higher than necessary
to carry the voice of the licensed starter to the
drivers.

(o) Any horse may be held on the
backstretch not more than two minutes
awaiting post time, except when delayed by an
emergency.

(p) If in the opinion of the stewards or the
starter, a horse is unmanageable or liable to
cause accidents or injury to any other horse or
to any driver, the horse may be sent to the
barn.

(q) The arms of each starting gate shall be
provided with a screen or a shield in front of
the position for each horse, and each arm shall
be perpendicular to the rail.

[WildKat]

lmao That's great Iggy!