Stretch Length difference between Mohawk and Woodbine

[Sea Biscuit]

I wrote to "ask the expert" at Standandbred Canada for the info and got this reply.

The info which is below is taken from the 2007 WEG Media Guide. It actually has some decent stats and info (I actually did it before I left there for Standardbred Canada).

This is the link for the complete Media Guide -

http://www.woodbineentertainment.com/standardbred/stbd_media.asp

Woodbine: Length of Stretch .........................976 feet

Mohawk: Length of Stretch (last turn to wire)....1,095 feet

I hope this helps.

Jeff Renton.

The difference is exactly 119 feet so the closers have a much better chance than at Woodbine.

I thought some of you might be interested in this info.

Have fun at the races.

[LottaKash]

Cool.........and watch the closers go Zoooooomming Bye....:jump:

Personally, though, I prefer speed favoring tracks, I generally have a harder time at Mohawk, as closers are so dependent on how the pace of the race may go.......and speed is much more predictable at Wdb............:cool:

Plus if you get a horse that can wire the field at Mohawk, and he is handy enough, so that he doesn't always have to have the lead to win.........Stay with him,,,,they are GEMS.........:eek:

[wilderness]

There's also a difference in the two between the layout of the turns (not so sure circumfrence is the corrent terminoligy).

Do not recall postively which track (I'm thinking Mohawk), for the stretch turn retains near the original 5/8's design, while the clubhouse turn is much larger.
An aerial might show a mushroom shape.

There must be aerials somewhere on the internet?

The uique design was required in the transition to 7/8's because the proper land was unavailable.

BTW, Steve Condren does bettter at Mohawk than Woodbine. It's always suited his style.

[LottaKash]

There must be aerials somewhere on the internet?

.

BTW, Steve Condren does bettter at Mohawk than Woodbine. It's always suited his style.


Maybe a Google Earth Satellite view woudl show this configuration.........:eek:

best,

[vikingrob]

Google Maps: Mohawk (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=43.494806,-79.998622&ie=UTF8&t=k&z=16)

[wilderness]

Google Maps: Mohawk (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=43.494806,-79.998622&ie=UTF8&t=k&z=16)

Thanks.

It appears I had my turns confused ;)
Same thing happens when I'm driving down the road ;)

[trottin' hopples]

This is another item to consider when comparing Woodbine to Mohawk.

At woodbine the quarter pole is situated at the start of the first turn. There is almost a quarter mile straightaway. Being parked out in the first quarter is hardly a factor unless the horse continues to race outside until the half mile marker. 90-95% find the inside before that happens.

At Mohawk the quarter pole is well into the first turn. Being parked at Mohawk is more of a disadvantage than in Toronto.

Also if comparing past races by using purses, there was an increase when the Mohawk meet started.

[Sea Biscuit]

Google Maps: Mohawk (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=43.494806,-79.998622&ie=UTF8&t=k&z=16)


Fine arial view of Mohawk Vikingrob.

Thanks for putting it up.

[LottaKash]

Wow, after looking at that aerial view of Mhk, one can readily see how the front running horses and especially the 1st over horses have much the worst of it, as nearly 1/2 of the race takes place on a turn........An odd-ball configuration for sure....


For me, it was a real eye-opener, and something to consider more closely......I never knew.....I just assumed that it would resemble any other 7/8's mile track.......I think I would look at some other tracks as well....might be more to it, than I had ever imagined.....

It explains a lot about the differences between Wdb & Mhk..........yikes......

best,

[botster]

The cicumfrance of that first turn has to aid a bit for the leavers to find holes,mabey it makes up for the disadvantage of the actual start to the 1/4 pole.I would like to see the ariel view of Woodbine... interesting.

[headhawg]

Yes this is pretty interesting. Woodbine looks to be symmetrical.

Google Maps: Woodbine (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&t=k&ll=43.71299,-79.603243&z=15)

[wilderness]

Yes this is pretty interesting. Woodbine looks to be symmetrical.

Google Maps: Woodbine (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&t=k&ll=43.71299,-79.603243&z=15)

The Coon Brothers have a more symmetrical design than this, which they claim is more adventageous to horses.
Believe the design has only been implemented at one track and dang if I can recall which.

Checked my files and recall seeing a picture of the newest design, however the closest I was able to come was mention of the Coon Brothers designing the track at Harrah's Chester.
Not sure if thats the odd shape or not. It does have a reall short stretch of 400ft.

[vikingrob]

You also have to consider that the harness course at Woodbine was built where the thoroughbred turf course was previously located; this was done to allow Woodbine to host both a thoroughbred program in the afternoon and harness racing in the evening.

[whyhorseofcourse]

Wow I always awesomed woodbines stretch was longer was longer. Seems like it took forever to find the wire.

[botster]

Yes this is pretty interesting. Woodbine looks to be symmetrical.

Google Maps: Woodbine (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&t=k&ll=43.71299,-79.603243&z=15)

Yes it certainly does...thanx for arial view headhawg.