The Track

The furlong (one-eighth of a mile) is the basic unit of measurement. The most common race distance is six furlongs or 3/4 of a mile. The furlongs are easily visible and represented by poles. The poles are named by their distance from the finish line. For example, the 1/8 pole is one furlong from the finish.
The poles are color coded:

	1/8 poles are green and white
	1/4 poles are red and white
	1/16 poles are black and white
A typical track layout (Aqueduct)

Most major tracks are one-mile dirt ovals with a grass course inside the main oval. In order to run distances more than a mile, many turf courses have a diagonal chute. Again, the furlong is the basic measurement, with poles visible on the grass, or turf, course as well.



Why so much emphasis on poles? Because you will constantly read references to the poles in the Daily Racing Form. Such comments as “steadied 3/8,” “blocked 1/4,” or “in tight 7/8” will produce a visualization of how a race was run. Jockeys and trainers will often refer to a race by how the horse was performing at a particular pole.

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