Influence of Track Surface Condition on Racing Times of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Flat Races

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of race track surface condition on the racing time of Thoroughbred racehorses in flat races isolated from the effects of differences in racecourse and racing distance. The effects of track surface condition, racecourse, and racing distance on the racing time of Thoroughbreds in flat races at 10 Japan Racing Association racecourses during a period of 5 years (2000-2004) were evaluated using multiple linear regression analysis. Track surface condition significantly affected the race time, although this effect differed between turf and dirt courses. On turf courses, racing times for different track surface conditions were, from shortest to longest, in order of firm<good<yielding<soft. On dirt courses, racing times for different track conditions were from shortest to longest, in order of muddy<good<sloppy<fast. For dirt courses, the effect of racecourse on racing time was greater than that of track surface condition, indicating the existence of racecourse-related nonbiological factors that significantly influenced racing time. When the effects of the differences in racecourse and racing distance were removed, track surface condition conclusively influenced racing time in flat races.