Jackson Wittup, Director of Racing at Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino, is hopeful that a passing lane will be added to the track configuration for the start of the 2011 schedule

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“It’s an issue our horsemen have been supporting and we’re going forward with a plan,” said Wittup. “It would give more horses a shot at winning.”

Wittup says the whole purpose of a passing lane is to allow horses that are locked in to have a competitive chance during the stretch drive. There are some stringent rules the drivers must abide by and they include:

1. The horse in the lead turning for home cannot drift down into the passing lane.
2. A pylon would be clearly marked as to when a horse may enter the passing lane.
3. A driver is allowed to ‘nick’ the designated pylon but not go inside of the pylon.
4. A driver must have a horse that has pace to use the passing lane and cannot clog up the lane.
5. During the stretch drive should a horse wander inside a pylon that horse would be automatically placed out of the money.

The addition of a passing lane on the 5/8-mile Fraser Downs track would be in place for the Western Regional Driving Championships on Saturday, Feb. 26. Standardbred Canada has announced that Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park in Prince Edward Island will be hosting the 2011 National Driving Championships on Saturday, May 7.

(Fraser Downs)