BobMcBrayer
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Track Layout and Runups - Help!! - 2006/10/21 13:27
I recently posted a request for information on the DRF General Discussion Board and someone was nice enough to suggest that I might best post the request here.
I'm attempting to help my son put together a database table of Track Layouts and Runup distances for as many North American Tracks as possible ... with only limited success ... and need some help!
The only Track Information that I've found at DRF.com and most of the track websites include a track diagram, the size of the Main Track (and Turf Course where appropriate) together with chute information and the length of the Stretch (distance from the end of the final turn to the finishline).
As I'm sure everyone knows, there are many minor tracks where even that limited information is not readily available.
My son has reading disabilities associated with dyslexia and hyperactivity but excels in mathematics ... and loves horses. My objective is provide him with the tools to help him better understand and analyze the DRF Past Performances ... and in so doing, sharpen his programming and math skills ... with the bonus that it gives us a project on which we can both participate.
We feel that the database table of Track Layouts and Runup distances needs to include all of the track features that impact the fractional times; though we're not sure what those are ... and are trying to obtain the following information; in addition to the basic information generally provided by DRF.com:
(1) Width of Stretch, Backstretch, and Turns,
(2) Percentage Banking of Turns,
(3) Alternate Finish Line Stretch Distances,
(4) Distance between the turns (backstretch),
(5) Distance from Finish Line to start of Clubhouse turn,
(6) Length of the turns, and
(7) Distance from start of primary sprint and route distances (i.e. 6.0 and 8.5 furlongs) to start of first turn.
For the tracks that are symmetrical ovals, knowing any one of (4) - (7) would allow him to calculate the missing pieces; given that we also know the Main Track size and length of the stretch.
Regarding the Runup distances, he needs to know which of the Tracks time their races from the Starting Gate and which use runups (i.e. begin timing when the lead horse triggers an electronic wire at some distance from the gate).
It would be wonderful just to be able to identify those tracks that time their races from the Starting Gate. For those using "runups", the runup distances for the different race distances are also needed.
We have made repeated inquires of most of the North American Tracks with only limited success; none with regard to the NYRA tracks ... and now have basically complete Track Layout Information for only 18 Tracks (Assiniboia, Churchill, Colonial, Emerald Downs, Fairgrounds, Hollywood Park, Sam Houston, Laurel, Lone Star, Meadowlands, Mountaineer, Oaklawn, Pimlico, Portland Meadows, Remington Park, Sportsman's Park, Suffolk Downs, and Woodbine).
However, if anyone has the information for Hollywood Park and/or Mountaineer ... that information would also be appreciated as what we now have is suspect in that the sums of the parts do not equal the whole.
We now have Runup Information for 21 Tracks (Arlington Park, Assiniboia, Bay Meadows, Blue Ribbon Downs, Churchill, Colonial, Delaware Park, Del Mar, Emerald Downs, Fairgrounds, Hollywood Park, Sam Houston, Laurel, Lone Star, Mountaineer, Oaklawn, Pimlico, Portland Meadows, Remington Park, Santa Anita, and Woodbine).
We are especially interested in knowing the runup distances for The Meadowlands, Sportsman's Park, and Suffolk Downs ... where we have the track layout information.
The same goes for completing the layout information for Arlington Park, Bay Meadows, Blue Ribbon Downs, Delaware Park, Del Mar and Santa Anita ... where we have the runup distances.
That isn't to suggest that we aren't interested in the information for other tracks ... for indeed, those are the ones about which we know the least and need the most information.
As a result of not being Handicappers, some things may not be clearly articulated but the bottom line is that (1) we are having difficulty in obtaining responses to our email inquires and (2) we do not know all of the available sources for such data.
I am hoping that some of you might have information of this type for some additional Tracks ... or that you have or know of a source that could provide some of this information ... any information, regardless of how incomplete or approximate it might be would be greatly appreciated.
We would, of course be willing to share what we do have, should such information be of interest to anyone.
Thanks!
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