1m40 yard race and 1m70y races
 

Curious if people are aware of how these races are timed. I've heard a few explanations, but one thing I'm nearly certain of is these are not true times.

For example, for the 2f time in a 1m70y race, there is definitely not a timing pole at the point 2f from the start of the race, and the same goes for 4f, 6f, etc.

I don't even know why this is necessary,to have 3 distances not a mile 210 feet apart.

Well, different discussion, but some think the extra 70 yards gives horses on the outside more of a fair shot (which it probably does).

Funny you should bring that up CJ...

Earlier today while recording race replays (it's part of the process I use in making my own trip notes) I came across R5 at Finger Lakes (contested at 1M 40 yds) and had to do a double take at the 1/2 mile fraction displayed on the track video feed.

Link to screenshot:
http://www.jcapper.com/messageboard/...11182013r5.jpg

Somehow I don't think the winner (who controlled the pace) was moving quite as fast as the screenshot suggests.



-jp

.

a lot of the fl fractions were skewed today.....might have been the severe wind.

effecting the timing, not the horses

I'm about 99% certain after looking at the raw pace and speed figures for that race that the "official" times in that race are not correct. This is almost always the case when crazy times pop up on the monitor.

Lovely folks at FG are kind enough to card races at 1m40, 1m70 and 1m 1/16

I never understood why they just don't card them at either a mile, or a mile and a sixteenth.

I'm not surprised, but nobody has yet to say how these races are timed, especially the fractions. It is another of racing's great mysteries.

To create mystery.:rolleyes: Most of the time a mile & 70 is run because the track configuration doesn't lend itself to a mile or a mile & 1/16 races. it is pretty hard to run both a mile and mile & 1/16 at most 6f tracks and is virtually impossible at 4F bull rings.

I didn't even know this was an issue. :bang:

Every time I read one of these threads about some issue with the timing of fractions and final times it pushes me further in the right direction of thinking looking at the quality of the horses in the field, watching the races, and looking at the charts is the better approach. Unfortunately, there are other issues that come up in that form of handicapping from time to time that make the times of race indispensable, if not always trustworthy. Tough game to be confident.

With different finish lines as well :D

I am assuming that you are kidding about different finish lines at FG; at no time have I noticed this at FG. Other tracks, yes.

When they used to rum 1m on the main track they had an alternate finish at the 1/16 pole. That distance is gone and they only use one finish line these days.

I can't put my finger on it, but I have found handling middle distances separately works for me.