Fairplex Harness Races Will Cover Some New Ground

Fairplex Park’s 29-day harness season, opening today with the first post at 1 p.m., will have a new twist--races at different distances.

Seldom do American standardbreds race at distances other than a mile, but on today’s 10-race program at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona, there will be two races at 1 miles and one at 5 1/2 furlongs. Saturday, besides five races at a mile, there will be three at 1 miles and two at 5 1/2 furlongs.

Fairplex officials believe that the 5 1/2-furlong races will be popular with fans because they will start in front of the grandstand on the 5-furlong strip.

Also, the sprints might help horses that have trouble negotiating a mile, and the different distances across the board should offer more of a handicapping challenge.

Today’s feature, at 5 1/2 furlongs, is the first in the four-race Pomona Centennial series, which will end with a race at 1 3/8 miles. Favored today among 3- to 5-year-old fillies and mares are Delicate Bromac and Taken by Storm.

Fairplex will race Friday through Tuesday.