Horse Racing Forum - USA Thoroughbred Races

I grabbed a screenshot of this yesterday, and as it really doesn't fit any of the forum categories, am asking here.

Is this photo capturing the horse accurately, or is it a distortion caused by the track camera? I checked the race replay, there didn't seem to be any indication of a problem after the line.

its just distortion by the track camera. I've noticed it a lot in photo finish pictures, the legs always look unnatural.

I know they're only distortions but I've almost had heart attacks looking at those kinds of pics, especially of the ankles. Tend to look like breakdowns!

it's called strip photography...the camera captures a series of images in a very narrow slit at one specific point (in this case, the finish line). the slit images are then composited together into one photo, showing the exact same spot at a variety of times. the entire photo is what is happening as that horse crosses the finish line, and since some parts may be crossing the slit at a different speed, it can cause some distortion.