They Are At The Post - THE EFFECT OF TURF RAILS OUT FOR ROUTES AT HOLLYWOOD PARK

THE EFFECT OF TURF RAILS OUT FOR ROUTES AT HOLLYWOOD PARK

Friday, 08 June 2007

By Mike Benitez of the DAILY SCHTW

We’ve all heard the chatter by the Horse Racing commentators about the effect of the turf rails being out so many feet and it favors this type of runner and so-so. Our first chart is the winning post positions for route races with all rail positions included through Sunday June 3^rd at Hollywood Park.

Rail	All positions					Routes:	Routes:	Routes:
Post	Stretch	Stretch	Chute	Chute		Total	Total	PP
Position:	8	8.5	9	10	12	Starters:	Winners:	Win %:
1	3	2	2	1		46	8	*17.39%*
2	5	4			1	46	10	*21.74%*
3	2	2	1			46	5	*10.87%*
4		3	2		1	46	6	*13.04%*
5	3		1			46	4	*8.70%*
6	2	1				38	3	*7.89%*
7	2		1			29	3	*10.34%*
8	3	2				22	5	*22.73%*
9	1					16	1	*6.25%*
10						7	0	*0.00%*
11		1				1	1	*100.00%*
12						1	0	*0.00%*
*TOTALS:*	21	15	7	1	2	*344*	46

However, the following charts for 10 feet, 15 feet and 20 feet are included to analyze the effect of the turf rails out with more clarity (Please note that there have been no turf sprints when the rail position was set at zero):

Rail	0 feet					Routes:	Routes:	Routes:
Post	Stretch	Stretch	Chute	Chute		Total	Total	PP
Position:	8	8.5	9	10	12	Starters:	Winners:	Win %:
1				1		13	1	*7.69%*
2	1	2				13	3	*23.08%*
3						13	0	*0.00%*
4		1	2		1	13	4	*30.77%*
5						13	0	*0.00%*
6	1					13	1	*7.69%*
7	1		1			10	2	*20.00%*
8						9	0	*0.00%*
9						6	0	*0.00%*
10						5	0	*0.00%*
11		1				1	1	*100.00%*
12						1	0	*0.00%*
*TOTALS:*	3	4	3	1	1	*110*	12

Rail	10 feet					Routes:	Routes:	Routes:
Post	Stretch	Stretch	Chute	Chute		Total	Total	PP
Position:	8	8.5	9	10	12	Starters:	Winners:	Win %:
1	1	1	1			10	3	*30.00%*
2	2				1	10	3	*30.00%*
3						10	0	*0.00%*
4		1				10	1	*10.00%*
5						10	0	*0.00%*
6		1				8	1	*12.50%*
7						7	0	*0.00%*
8		1				6	1	*16.67%*
9	1					5	1	*20.00%*
10						1