The 'wild west start'----

[Parked]

The Starter DOES NOT AND NEVER DID have a mandated starting speed! Starting races is a job that requires the ability to be sure most of the field is within 6 I niches of the gate as it crosses the release point. The driver of the gate works in harmony with the the starter in most situations also.It take experience to be able to deliver consistent starts.

I remember a specified speed for i think 16 ths of a mile . They even had a starting gate at Pompano was programed to go those speeds.  Maybe 30 years ago.?

[Generation XYZ]

I remember a specified speed for i think 16 ths of a mile . They even had a starting gate at Pompano was programed to go those speeds.  Maybe 30 years ago.?

Programmed starting gate?

[rainman2]

Programmed starting gate?

I've heard about that.  Whether it's true, I don't know. I'll have to ask some people I know and find out. 

[Generation XYZ]

I've heard about that.  Whether it's true, I don't know. I'll have to ask some people I know and find out.

Programmed to open or governed speed of gate car?

[Kirby's Ace]

Just have them go around in circles like they do in Sweden!

Problem solved

[rainman2]

Programmed to open or governed speed of gate car?

i think the speed of the car.

[Generation XYZ]

i think the speed of the car.

That would be a concern as they need to accelerate out of the way once the gate folds.

[rainman2]

That would be a concern as they need to accelerate out of the way once the gate folds.

Just made a quick call to a well known respected trainer.  Yes, there was a computerized chip for a computerized start at Pompano about 20 years or so give/take.  The Coon family who reconfigured the racetracks in the day were involved in this.  Also, Lexington could have done this/currently doing this.

[Fuguzzi]

Gene Coon - great track guy

[Mailbox Money]

A Patrol Judge used to be sitting next to the Starter back in 80's &90's.Any track that could get permission not to use one sent them packing as a cost cutting maneuver!
On top of having the "gas Pedal" and swinging the wings of the gate, the starter is also a judge who has to look for broken equip, horses out of position, interference, drivers in the wrong position, lame horse, etc across the whole field.

[Fuguzzi]

Note - the first sentence of the quote attributed to me was NOT made by me

[SeattleSlew]

The Starter DOES NOT AND NEVER DID have a mandated starting speed! Starting races is a job that requires the ability to be sure most of the field is within 6 I niches of the gate as it crosses the release point. The driver of the gate works in harmony with the the starter in most situations also.It take experience to be able to deliver consistent starts.

At Roosevelt in the mid 70's, I know for sure that the "goal" of the person in charge of the acceleration, clearly in conjunction with all of the other factors noted, was to get up to 30 MPH at "release"... I am also sure that it was slower than that at times, but almost never faster.  Lou Miller was a bit "unusual" but he was an "honest reporter" and explained to to me in detail.

[Fuguzzi]

Thats what I was touching upon earlier . I was told it was 35 at release and at least 40 speeding away. I remember a story ages ago where a horse was charging like a rocket off the gate, for some reason the car seemed to stop accelerating and the horse actually retouched the gate but didnt break

[Parked]

That would be a concern as they need to accelerate out of the way once the gate folds.

The driver had an over ride ., if he touched the accelerator or brake it was deactivated.   That was around 1997 give or take a couple years. 

[Stan durbread]

The automatic start gate. Controls both the speed and wings to ensure a consistent start every race. WEG car with the timer on the back is one. They only used the auto feature for a short time. They use them regularly in Sweden but the horses over there are much better mannered. And the drivers are not above the handhold buckle behind the gate like here