Well, I've seen it all now

[NatHillIV]

Race 3, Hoosier Park tonight (July 1, 2026).
VERY interesting race to say the least.
Comments welcome.

[Kirby's Ace]

Please elaborate

[Bitter Truth]

Only thing I can think of that you must be eluding to is the lack of a DQ on the2. Didn't really
watch the replay. Did think he left the course though that doesn't neccessary DQ you. WAS
surprised he was still up there to be considered. Really strung out field.

[NatHillIV]

The horse that finished third made a break, darted inside the pylons, and had both wheels inside the pylons for quite a while.  Leaving him in third may have been totally correct, it was just nothing I have ever seen before.

[Trigger]

The pylons I get.

On the straightaway didn't seem to gain an edge, like on a turn.

Nice to see drivers try to recover breakers.

[NatHillIV]

The pylons I get.

On the straightaway didn't seem to gain an edge, like on a turn.

Nice to see drivers try to recover breakers.

That's essentially what the judges said.  They took a while to make the decision.  Sure looked odd to me to see a guy charge up inside the pylons!  Pretty straight shot. 

[Bitter Truth]

Essentially if you go inside on the turn, you are shaving off distance. Inside the pylons
in the straightaway is the same distance traveled.

[Trigger]

Essentially if you go inside on the turn, you are shaving off distance. Inside the pylons
in the straightaway is the same distance traveled.

Yes, and it was unintentional, and done for safety....whereas someone locked in pulled that move, out and back in, they're coming down 100%.

[porkchop]

Regardless he was off the track . Even Gabe said a clear pylon infraction. Just another 1st time for everything!!!

[Bitter Truth]

He probably had the 4th place horse in the tri.

[Trigger]

He probably had the 4th place horse in the tri.

Too bad he wasn't in the judges office when the inquiry lit up and before their decision...when they said, what do you have? 

[SeattleSlew]

Regardless he was off the track . Even Gabe said a clear pylon infraction. Just another 1st time for everything!!!

Exactly:

In harness racing, a horse that leaves the racetrack by going inside the pylons for a meaningful distance is not automatically completely disqualified (taken out of the purse entirely) unless specific conditions are met, but it will face a mandatory "placing" penalty (relegation). Even if the horse does not gain any ground or improve its position, traveling inside the pylons for an extended distance violates the rules of the track and compromises the safety and integrity of the race.Under the standard model adopted by major racing jurisdictions and the United States Trotting Association (USTA), the consequences depend entirely on how many consecutive pylons the horse passes on the inside while on stride:Inside 2 consecutive pylons: The offending horse must be placed behind any horses that are "lapped on" (finishing right next to/close behind) to it at the wire.Inside 3 or more consecutive pylons: If a horse goes inside three or more consecutive pylons—which constitutes your scenario of a "meaningful distance"—it is a major infraction. The judges will issue a severe placing penalty, typically ordering the horse to be placed last in the official standings.Note on Exceptions: The only times a horse will not be penalized for going inside the pylons is if the driver was forced inside due to interference from another horse/driver, or if the horse was on a break (galloping) and the driver went inside to safely get the horse out of the way of the field without gaining an advantage.The Governing Rules and Rule NumbersHarness racing is governed by state racing commissions, which typically align their rulebooks with the model rules of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) and the USTA. The specific rule numbers addressing this include:Model Pylon Rule (Standardized): Across major racing jurisdictions (such as the Ontario Racing Commission/AGCO, Pennsylvania, and New York), this standard language is commonly codified under the track's specific "Pylon Rule" section.Indiana: Covered under ⁠71 IAC 4-3-15 (Pylons).New Jersey: Covered under ⁠N.J. Admin. Code § 13:71-20.25 (Pylons).Kentucky: Covered under ⁠811 KAR 1:075, Section 2 (Racing and track rules).I

[PineHurstPacer]

R. Wrenn went completely inside the last 2 pylons offstride at the Meadows and didn't placed because Ray ran him over

[NatHillIV]

He was inside 10 pylons or  more with both wheels.
Interesting conversation.  Thanks.