The "cutaway" - would you want this feature at some US tracks?

[BarchCapper]

Southwell Racecourse, the UK's second all-weather track (after Lingfield - both starting in 1989) is about to hold its first card after switching from Fibresand to Tapeta.

Along with the change to the Tapeta is a redesign of the homestretch turn to feature a "cutaway," which fans the horses further out as they enter the stretch, and opens up an inside running lane. An example of a cutaway is attached (from Ireland's Dundalk). You can find this feature at some UK and Irish courses (I believe I've seen it both all-weather and turf/jumps).

Seems to be on the same principle as the passing lane that's cropped up at US harness tracks. (Which some have argued has been a detriment to that sport.)

Would you be interested in seeing "cutaways" at some US tracks? Do you find yourself often frustrated over horses that get boxed in with nowhere to go?

It seems we see a little bit of a cutaway effect with the Del Mar turf course and the chute opening taking up a major part of the stretch. Do you think that makes for better racing when horses trapped inside have a lane to get further inside?

We're so used to the rail being "even" all the way around (excepting chute openings) that most of us have probably never thought about this as a possiblity. I think it might be interesting to see in some places - but I definitely wouldn't want it everywhere.

[Dave Schwartz]

Interesting innovation.

Could have some great safety benefits I'd assume.

I'd be interested to know what do the jockey & trip experts experts think of this.


Thanks for the post.

[JustRalph]

We can’t time a race worth a shit now……..

What affect would it have on timing here?

[Boomer]

It was the ruination of harness racing. Caused lack of early movement and line-up racing. God knows we already get enough of that at NYRA racing

[classhandicapper]

Originally Posted by Boomer

It was the ruination of harness racing. Caused lack of early movement and line-up racing. God knows we already get enough of that at NYRA racing

That's what I've heard other harness fans say also.

Pandy will probably jump in on this.

[Tom]

This guy might think it sounds good.

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[46zilzal]

Little Fraser Downs introduced this concept the 2nd season I was ther and it DID aid the rail hugger awaiting hte stretch, but as short a strech on that OVAL it did not make all that difference to the pacers.

Other tracks called it the lightning lane, the speed lane etc., and on a larger oval, I can see it making some difference.

[Spacenoid]

Seen the cutaway a few times in races around the world, I like what I've seen and think it can produce some good finishes. Would like to see it stateside

[Hambletonian]

Considering how races are run in the UK and France, and how bunched the fields are turning for home, it is not a bad idea there. Here, it would make absolutely no difference except possibly for turf racing.

What I would love to see imported, and I realize it would never happen, is a track to be built here that allowed for races up to a mile on a straightaway course.

[MJC922]

Originally Posted by Spacenoid

Seen the cutaway a few times in races around the world, I like what I've seen and think it can produce some good finishes. Would like to see it stateside

Same here, I do see it with international racing and think it helps reduce the congestion, makes for a bit safer racing I would guess. However I'm not sure the stretches we have in the US are long enough to benefit quite as much, especially on turf where the flow of the race causes frequent traffic problems. That's where we'd need it most IMO.

[BarchCapper]

Originally Posted by Hambletonian

Considering how races are run in the UK and France, and how bunched the fields are turning for home, it is not a bad idea there. Here, it would make absolutely no difference except possibly for turf racing.

What I would love to see imported, and I realize it would never happen, is a track to be built here that allowed for races up to a mile on a straightaway course.

AGREED! Wouldn't you love to see the fields splitting rail side and stands side once in a while???

[Robert Fischer]

I don't know...

Enjoy track quirks and biases.

Could be really good on a track, or course, or two , but I wouldn't want it to be for every track.

Traffic Trouble for closers is generally overrated. It often looks worse than it is (although there are times when it's a thing).

[cj]

Originally Posted by Robert Fischer

I don't know...

Enjoy track quirks and biases.

Could be really good on a track, or course, or two , but I wouldn't want it to be for every track.

Traffic Trouble for closers is generally overrated. It often looks worse than it is (although there are times when it's a thing).

If you think we have trouble with having pace in our races now, imagine if there was incentive to not go to the front.

[dilanesp]

Originally Posted by BarchCapper

It seems we see a little bit of a cutaway effect with the Del Mar turf course and the chute opening taking up a major part of the stretch. Do you think that makes for better racing when horses trapped inside have a lane to get further inside?

I am sure it wasn't the first time it happened, but the first time I saw a rider take advantage of this was Eddie Delahoussaye in the 1988 Eddie Read Handicap on Deputy Governor. He was buried on the rail until they hit the gap, and he darted into the chute, sped up, and got up to win the race. When I saw the head-on footage, I was astonished.