From equipment upgrades to rule changes, trainers and drivers recall the greatest harness racing innovations they've witnessed throughout their lifetime in this week's Standardbred Canada video feature.
Gone are the days of wooden sulkies and the tie-down harness. The number of horses bred to trot and racing on the pace is virtually non-existent. A two-minute mile is no longer a big deal. Horses are rarely locked in on the hub rail in the stretch and loaded with pace.
Horse racing has certainly evolved in more ways than one since many of its participants watched their first race -- whether it was just a few years or a few decades ago. Despite all of the improvements mentioned below, hopefully the greatest innovation is still to come.
What is the greatest innovation you've witnessed in the sport of harness racing?