(Edited press release)
The run-up distance at the start of each race and the location of the temporary rail in turf races are now available in Equibase past performances, it was announced May 19 by Equibase, the Thoroughbred industry’s official database for racing information.
“Handicappers and horsemen should find this information beneficial because the run-up distance at the start and the position of the temporary rail in turf races influence both the internal fractions of a race as well as the final time,” said Equibase president and chief operating officer Hank Zeitlin. “For instance, at certain distances at some tracks there is literally no run-up; at others we have recorded run-up distances of well over 100 feet.”
Run-up distance indicates the distance (in feet) from the starting gate to the point where timing of the race begins. A short run-up distance can lead to a slower opening quarter-mile time. The run-up distance is listed in superscript after the distance of the race in Equibase past performances and in parentheses after the distance of the race in result charts.
The temporary rail placement indicates the distance (in feet) between the permanent inner rail and the location of the temporary rail. Tracks use a portable temporary rail to protect the inside of a turf course from overuse. The temporary rail position is listed in superscript after the turf symbol in Equibase past performances and in parentheses after the turf designation in result charts.
In addition to appearing in Equibase past performances and results charts, Equibase is also providing the information to its system vendors and value-added resellers. Run-up distances are available for all races on or after Oct. 1, 2008.