Gulfstream Park Lengthens Run-Ups for Dirt Routes

Gulfstream Park has changed run-up distances for 1 1/16-mile and 1 1/8-mile races contested over the main track, the South Florida track announced Feb. 27.

The run-up distances have been extended, with 85 feet added to the start of all 1 1/16-mile races and 53 feet added to the start of all 1 1/8-mile races from their prior starting locations.

Thoroughbreds are not timed from a standing start, so a run-up is the ground before horses reach the timing system. A longer run-up increases the distance of a race, though unofficially. It can lead to slightly faster opening splits and quicker final times because horses are traveling at a higher rate of speed when initially reaching the timing mechanism.

The new policy, which went into effect immediately, was applied to Thursday's eighth race, a 1 1/8-mile first-level allowance optional claimer for 3-year-olds. Race favorite Grande , trained by Todd Pletcher, scored by 2 1/2 lengths under jockey John Velazquez.

Gulfstream track management said that the run-up change was made at the suggestion of the Gulfstream jockey colony to give horses a longer distance to run before heading into the first turn. Often in 1 1/16-mile and 1 1/8-mile races, the short run into the clubhouse turn could leave horses drawing an outside post at a distinct disadvantage due to potential ground loss.

The new policy will affect Gulfstream's marquee event March 1, the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds.