Harness racing distances

[Bobbo]

Why is it that harness racing basically run 1 mile races? I've been in the thoroughbreds most of my life, till Rockingham Park closed. I love watching and betting 5/8, 1, 1 1/6 &  1 1/4 races.  Also, why are there not more claiming races instead of nw of all the time.  Thanks in advance for comments

In Quebec @ Blue Bonnets and Quebec City they occasionally had 5 mile races.  About a dozen horses would start and maybe 4 or 5 finish if they were lucky.

[Village Idiot]

I remember Raceway Park had a 3/8th race every Memorial Day

[freelegged pacer]

FYI for the math challenged. 3 times around is 15 eights 15/8 = 1 mile and 7/8. In other words 1/8 short of 2 miles.             

[whiptherabbit]

Charlton going crazy like he won the Hambo & there was still a lap to go was one of the funniest things in the history of harness racing.

Also when Scott Young fell off the bike leaving the paddock in Flamboro Downs

https://youtu.be/hhCwRG5Hrl4

[Rabbi Of Racing]

The distance for 97% of the drivers should be from the track to prison