hackamores vs. sidepulls

[JAdams5334@aol.com]

Hello everybody,
 I need a little feedback on the differences with hackamores, mechanical and  
    other wise and side pulls, and the severity of them. I want to use 
something easy on my horse for a 50 comming up, he does good in a mechanical 
hackamore. I was thinking of a padded Biothane side pull with bit attachments 
just in case ( its our first race together ). 
any thoughts ???
thanks guys,
Becky