If you have the room, I'm a fan of alley to a gate that opens into holding pens. Like the origional set up at the American. But longer alley. Gates that open from either side, so its easy acess for a laft handed horse too. I've seen wrecks with horses running back into a holding pen where other horses are. Either running off, or yard darting the rider at the end when they make a right/left turn into the holding pens.

If you dont have room, open gate or alley back to a big dirt area to stop. Preferably with no grass anywhere close.

My preference is a side entry (holding pen) into from the alley, but not too far to run into the arena - the long alley allows for the rider coming out to have plenty of stopping room and once they pass the side entry gate, the alley is all clear for the next rider.

It really helps keep the race moving fast, rather than a long alley, having to wait for the runner to slow up and get out of the way, before the next rider can ask their horse to enter the alley.  So, of course, you need a gate person to let the next rider in and then close the side gate.

Good luck with your race!

Thats a neat set up idea. Havent seen it before, but really like it.