Are poles adjusted in turf races when the rail is shifted?

[Storm Cadet]

Originally Posted by BillW

Picture a circle split into 2 semi-circles. Now, separate the 2 semi-circles by a distance of 2 furlongs and connect them by straight lines, which is the approximate configuration of a race track. The equation holds in either case and the straight segment does not add anything (a 2 furlong straight segment is 2 furlongs no matter where it is relative to the hedge). As ArlJim78 mentions, the equation is 3.14159 (Pi) times the "rail out" distance for each turn.


Nope - the change in circumference is linear. Also note that the same equations apply for a horse running off the rail.

Are you the HUMAN TRACKUS?

[saratogadew]

here is a turf rail discussion from 8 years ago.

[ironprospect]

Moving the starting gate has no bearing on the actual distance of the race.

The race DOES NOT START at the gate, it starts at the pole or whatever distance marker is.

The starting gate is placed before the start, sometimes quite a bit but there is always a run up to the actual start where the clock starts. Which makes moving the gate around immaterial to the actual distance run.

Which is why the gate movement was quoted as 10-25 feet but only because of course wear not in an attempt to even out distance due to rail movement.