HORSEPLOP.COM
General Category => Harness Racing => Topic started by: wizardofoz on November 12, 2026, 07:59:47 PM
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Thoroughbreds post position is not as important as Standardbreds as we all know. The increase in TB betting could come from every horse being bet as the start of most TB races is a straight run for the first 1/4 mile a lot of the time. This should be the case for harness now as well. Drawing the 7,8 and 9 posts on half mile and 5/8 tracks is usually a toss in the betting unless a horse is the heavy favorite. On a 5/8th track the start is almost on the turn so how can a far outside post have any chance and once that happens the race is over for those horses. Even a 1 mile and 7/8 mile track should do the same and allow the outside post draws to at least have a shot at getting near the front on the straight run before the first turns. This could increase handle as well. The Meadowlands 1 1/8 distance races are well bet. Yonkers toyed with 1 1/16th mile races a few years back. The post draw right now tells the public and the owners, for the most part, who has a shot, and who does not, before the horses even get to the track. It is time to standardize harness races at 1 1/16th mile races.
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Thoroughbreds post position is not as important as Standardbreds as we all know. The increase in TB betting could come from every horse being bet as the start of most TB races is a straight run for the first 1/4 mile a lot of the time. This should be the case for harness now as well. Drawing the 7,8 and 9 posts on half mile and 5/8 tracks is usually a toss in the betting unless a horse is the heavy favorite. On a 5/8th track the start is almost on the turn so how can a far outside post have any chance and once that happens the race is over for those horses. Even a 1 mile and 7/8 mile track should do the same and allow the outside post draws to at least have a shot at getting near the front on the straight run before the first turns. This could increase handle as well. The Meadowlands 1 1/8 distance races are well bet. Yonkers toyed with 1 1/16th mile races a few years back. The post draw right now tells the public and the owners, for the most part, who has a shot, and who does not, before the horses even get to the track. It is time to standardize harness races at 1 1/16th mile races.
1 1/16th would be difficult on a 7/8 mile track because it's so close to the turn unless you have a long chute to start from.