New anomalous trajectory in Regge theory

We show that a new Regge trajectory with ${\alpha }_{f_1}\mathrm{}\left(0\right)\mathrm{}\approx 1$ and a slope ${\alpha }_{f_1}^{\prime }\mathrm{}\left(0\right)\mathrm{}\approx 0$ explains the features of hadron-hadron scattering and photoproduction of the $\rho$ and $\phi$ mesons at large energy and momentum transfer. This trajectory with quantum numbers $P=C=+1\mathrm{}$ and an odd signature can be considered as a natural partner of the Pomeron which has an even signature. The odd signature of the new exchange leads to contributions to the spin-dependent cross sections, which do not vanish at large energy. The links between the anomalous properties of this trajectory, the axial anomaly, and the flavor singlet axial vector $f_1\mathrm{}\left(1285\right)\mathrm{}$ meson are discussed.