The importance of time and two one-thousandths of a second

by John Berry

I have witnessed a lot of photo finishes over the past 67 years.

The Nansemond-Albatross photo finish in their heat of the 1971 Little Brown Jug comes to mind.

So does, of course, the 1989 epic duel in the final heat of the 1989 Hambletonian.

The Park Avenue Joe-Probe dead-heat that produced one of the most memorable finishes in history with a final quarter in :26.3, thought to be an unreachable number back 37 years ago.

But for those that have witnessed what gents like Murray Brown and myself have seen in our lifetimes imbedded in our grand sport, the classic duel between Apex and Big Ranger will be remembered long after we are gone.

This was decided by a photo finish in world record time — 1:49.2.

Actually, 1:49.2 wasn’t accurate enough as these two grand champions hit the wire together with not even Dave Little and John Rallis agreeing as to who won when they hit the wire together.

Thank goodness for the photo finish camera.

Back in 1881, the first documented use of a photograph was used in Plainfield, NJ to decide the outcome of a race — just a conventional camera used to click on the finish of a race.

About 55 years later at Hialeah Park in Florida, a more modern system was installed there, most probably, regarded as a modern photo finish camera for racing.

A year later, Lorenzo Del Riccio, who was an engineer tinkering with optics and working for Paramount Pictures, came up with the strip camera system used for many decades in racing.

Over the years, these have been improved upon and The Meadowlands — and many other pari-mutuel tracks — use an American Teletimer system, proven to be infallible in an industry that expects nothing less.

Many moons ago, races were timed in quarter-seconds and, in the 1950s, widespread use of timed races in fifths-of-a-second became fashionable in harness racing.

But, today, the timing has become much more sophisticated with races aimed in hundredths-of-a-second and thousandths-of-a-second, necessary as world records for speed are eclipsed in milliseconds these days.

Apex, son of Walner—Mission Brief, trotted in a 1:49.2 stakes record — actually, 1:49.456 — splitting hairs while Big Ranger was clocked in 1:49.458, two one-thousandths-of-a-second slower, if you want to characterize it that way.

A tip of the HRU cap to the breeder, Mission Brief Stable, owners Jeffrey Snyder, Steve Stewart, and the S R F Stable, caretaker Amalie Odegard, trainer Marcus Melander, and driver Dexter Dunn.

This time was within one-fifth-of-a-second for sophomore trotting colts set by Six Pack eight years ago — 2018 — and equaled the mark of Emoticon Legacy last year.

Hard to believe that over 30 trotting-bred javelins marks under 1:50 with the gelding On To Norway on top of the list at 1:48.3, achieved this semester, the mare Bourbonista S clocking in at 1:48.4. and the gelding Homicide Hunter — also 1:48.4 — in 2018, when that was unheard of territory.

By the way, one novice player looking at a photo finish of the Hambletonian race complained that “the 4-horse’s head-number and toe were ahead of the winner’s at the wire, (and that probably is why he’ll never be admitted to the BDHC (Broken Down Horseplayer’s Club).’

The Hambletonian Oaks was a classic event, as well.

Nezuko Komodo S, a daughter of Chapter Seven—Zefira Kronos IT, redeemed herself from a rough trip in her elimination the week before to score in 1:51.4, holding off Carve on the wire by a long neck.

The week prior, Nezuko Kamado S, carrying an undefeated four race win streak in her elimination, seemed to be bothered a bit and lost some ground at the top of the lane and couldn’t quite get by Busy Miss Lissy S with her :26 closing kick just missing, but giving a strong hint coming in to her Oaks final.

Taking no chances this time around, she was away in good order before brushing up from fourth after the opener and used a :27.1 second quarter move to the lead with her :26.3 final panel enough to hold off her main rival.

Nezuko Kamado S was bred by Courant, Inc, owned by them, as well, caretaker Elise Tillerflaten, trained by Marcus Melander and driven by Yannick Gingras, subbing for the injured Scott Zeron.

Of course, The Meadowlands provided yet another great day of racing for horsemen, horsewomen and fans alike, and the Hambletonian and Oaks were far from all of the highlights squeezed in a grand Saturday of harness racing.

With all the attention on Brandon Blvd and Odds On Mr Mamba, Sweet Loving Lou, a distant fourth choice in the betting at 14-1 in the classy quintet, clicked off a :25.2 final quarter to score in a lifetime best 1:47.3.

This son of Sweet Lou had been knocking hooves with the big boys and been competitive every start, rattling home as fast as :25.4 but unable to crack the winner’s circle since his return to the racing wars in early July.

But racing on Hambletonian Day finally brought out the best in him.

Aided by hot fractions with Odds On Mr Mamba and Gentleman’s Club trading barbs with Brandon Blvd in the mix, Sweet Loving Lou brushed home in :25.2 to pick up their pieces once they straightened away.

Tim Tetrick was in the sulky, subbing for Scott Zeron, with the beneficiaries being Lagace Stables Edwin Buhler, Big Als Stables, and Brittany Farms Micki Rae.

Quite possibly the “wake up” mile of the day was manufactured by Best Chip, a 4-year-old son of Heston Blue Chip.

Trained by Joe Bongiorno and driven by Tim Tetrick for the El Dorado Stable, Best Chip was on the choo-choo from post 7 — sixth and outside rolling forward for the top — reaching the half in :53.3 and then fashioning an amazing final half in :52.3 to smash through the wire in 1:46.1.

There have been only four horses that have gone a faster mile in our entire history — Bulldog Hanover (1:45.4) and Allywag Hanover, Always B Miki, and Lather Up, the latter three in 1:46.

It’s pretty serious talent when Miki And Minnie wins in 1:48, Sangria Summer in 1:48.1, and Women Layer in 1:48.2 in their events and cannot make the Mane Attraction headlines.

Some 50 horses placed their miles in 1:50 or faster on Hambletonian Day and around 20 didn’t earn a single dime.

May The Horse Be With You!