“Parked out”- Thoroughbred vs Standardbred

[Dingus]

Many times, in Tbred races you see horses lined up 2 or 3 wide from the start for much of the race (even 2 turn races), and the horses on the outside wind up winning the race.

However, in Harness races, the horses that are 1st over fade badly, and hardly ever win, or even finish in the top 3.

How come this happens?
Is it something in the psyche of the harness horse that makes them quit racing if they are on the outside and can’t pass?

[Seamus11]

I think it’s two fold.... first...the width of the bike makes it an even greater distance to travel esp on a half mile track with the 4 corners instead of just one or maybe 2 for the thoroughbred.  But more times than not, it’s the drivers “setting up the race” by making it appear like he’s trying....when he and everyone else knows he’s just tiring the horse out so he’s off the ticket by hitting the outside.  It’s a fools game, Yo !!!

[Brkn Headpole]

Banking of turns may have something to do with it. The ground loss is significant at places like Yonkers seems like the first up horses have to work extra hard to keep up with inside horse. T-breds seem to like to rate better when in free and clear rather than being bottled up down inside. All depends whether they are pressing or rating because you do see the t-breds that get limbed out 3-4 wide lose bc of the extra distance they had to travel.

[Dingus]

I think it’s two fold.... first...the width of the bike makes it an even greater distance to travel esp on a half mile track with the 4 corners instead of just one or maybe 2 for the thoroughbred.  But more times than not, it’s the drivers “setting up the race” by making it appear like he’s trying....when he and everyone else knows he’s just tiring the horse out so he’s off the ticket by hitting the outside.  It’s a fools game, Yo !!!

Let’s equalize the 1st part by using a 2 turn track in each case- a 7/8 or 1 mile track with the outside horse going for the lead and traveling a few feet further around the turn in a harness race than a tbred race due to the sulky width.
That shouldn’t affect the disparity in results by much.
The 2nd part, tiring the horse out, the pocket horse is going as fast, but he actually benefits from his trip.
 

[Parked]

I think it’s two fold.... first...the width of the bike makes it an even greater distance to travel esp on a half mile track with the 4 corners instead of just one or maybe 2 for the thoroughbred.  But more times than not, it’s the drivers “setting up the race” by making it appear like he’s trying....when he and everyone else knows he’s just tiring the horse out so he’s off the ticket by hitting the outside.  It’s a fools game, Yo !!!

They are turns and not corners.  Oh, sorry. The first turn at Buffalo could rightfully be called a corner. 

[Jazzman]

why then can european horses sit parked and it doesnt bother them even in distant races

[Dingus]

why then can european horses sit parked and it doesnt bother them even in distant races

And down under horses racing in NZ and Australia.

[BoKnows]

I think track bias makes a difference with the TBreds. Some days the 2 or 3 path has better footing than the inside, there are other days where the rail is better.

[Hambletonian46]

Apples and Oranges. For a thoroughbred, you are way more concerned about loss of momentum then saving ground. Tbreds cannot stop and start on a dime, being buried down on the rail with nowhere to go down the lane is generally fatal. Just takes too long for them to get going again when clear. Not to say the rail is bad, you just need clear sailing. It is easier for them to ride the rails on the dirt where fields get well strung out; on the turf the rail is generally the last place you want to be if not on the lead.

[PaysonPark]

Standardbreds line up, start most important unless race fixers burns up the early fraction......cro oks in thoroughbreds too but  better betting as more races with !0 plus horses.  Buggies best for Amish on Sundays after church.   Derby preps coming up, best gambling just ahead.