There are a litany of distances for Thoroughbreds to compete at, and while some differences in them could be small, they could mean the difference between winning and losing.
For instance, there is a significant difference between five- and six-furlong sprints, even though they are both short distances. Five-furlong races need quickness, not just speed, to win. The race is so short that any slight misstep at the start can be costly.
Horses might be speedy in six-furlong races but the early pace is almost always quicker in five-furlong races, perhaps unsuitable for a horse who prefers a slightly less hectic six-furlong race.
Races that are one mile, 1 1/16 miles or 1 1/8 miles around one turn (at Woodbine the E.P. Taylor Course's grass races up to 1 1/8 miles only have one turn) tend to help runners successfully navigate distances that might be a bit longer than they prefer. A horse could do well at 1 1/16 miles on the Taylor turf but not enjoy the tight corners of a two-turn 1 1/16 mile race on the inner turf.
Some horses are very particular at what distance they prefer the most. There are seven-furlong specialists or 1 1/8 mile specialists and both the track program and Daily Racing Form, among other sources, offer a horse's record at the distance he is competing at that day.
Distance changes
On occasion, a trainer might not be able to find the exact, suitable distance for his runner and may run him shorter or longer than he prefers. This may be because the horse still must prepare for an upcoming race or perhaps needs to keep fit with a race. Recognizing these situations is a key to handicapping as is noting when a horse returns to a better distance.
At Fort Erie on Monday, July 22, the evening card has some interesting examples of horses and their distances preferences.
In Race 5 (post time 6:22 p.m.), No. 1 BIG BROWN BREWSKII had a rare start at 1 1/16 miles last time and he finished third. This hard-trying five-year-old gained ground through most of the race before evening out in the stretch.
But Big Brown Brewskii's best distance is a sprint. Take a look at his previous 1 1/16 mile attempt on July 18, 2023, which was followed by the turn back to a six-furlong race, as he is doing on this card. When he cut back to a sprint on July 31, 2023 he had a better finishing kick on his way to a second-place finish – to be exact, Big Brown Brewskii's favourite distance is 6 1/2 furlongs as all three of his wins have come at that distance.
Still, this fifth race has enough pace runners in the field to help set the race up for Big Brown Brewskii's late-running style.
Race 8 on Tuesday is a race at about five furlongs on the turf and there are a few specialists at this distance in the field.
No. 2 AWILDAS TREASURE has yet to win at five furlongs on the grass but on June 4 she just about won a similar race and her Beyer Speed Figure of 66 was solid. In her latest, Awildas Treasure tried a two-turn grass race and she was up close in the early stages before fading. She should be a strong presence shortening up in distance.
No. 3 CRUMLIN BIRD recently made her first start of the year for trainer Mark Fournier in a 6 1/2-furlong turf race at Woodbine. This mare had early speed in that race and now returns to her favourite track and favourite distance. She has a record of 4-2-1 at five furlongs on turf.
Try a $5 Exactor Box 2 and 3 in race 8 at Fort Erie on July 22.
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