Angled/Slanted Finish Line

Angled/Slanted Finish Line

By Tim Finley

Consider something that seems radical, but that could level the playing field, create more movement and be safer. It is a ‘slanted/angled finish line’.

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, which necessitates drivers to go to the top or find a hole and sit as long as possible in that Indian-style flow. A slanted/angled finish line would give a driver the opportunity to be in an outer flow without the concern of burning his horse up attempting to get to the existing traditional finish line, which measures exactly one mile from start to finish. As horses move to the right, the distance they must travel gets progressively shorter the further to the right that they move. Although this makes the distance for an outside horse shorter the angle would not be to an extent that all of the horses would aim for the grandstand. This new finish line would have to be laid out professionally, methodically, and mathematically. It would be a dramatic change, but HR needs dramatic change.

Parked horses and horses forced to move into an outside flow early will have a better chance; hence, the wagerer will have a better chance. Remember, we are in this business to please the public.

Since conceptually creating the angled finish line a few years ago, I have also mentally designed a kite-style track that has lane racing. Before you poo-poo these ideas, give them serious thought. If you have better ideas, please share them on Facebook. Whatever your opinion, be a part of the solution and not a contributor to the problem.

Standardbred racing would be more exciting and safer if not competed in the traditional “single file racing.”  One must be willing and able to envision changes, plus not be too stubborn to progress.

The following video is not intended to pick on Mr. Stalbaum regarding going from the outside post (described in the beginning) directly to the rail. It is to emphasize how most drivers think.