how fast can a horse run a furlong?

Question

hi,

Does anyone know what a good benchmark is for a horse running 1 furlong (1/8 of a mile).

Thanks!

Answer 1

It generally depends on the type of race. Thoroughbred sprinters can go about 10-11 seconds per furlong, and about 11-12 seconds in the end. To me, a benchmark for routers is somewhere between 11-13 seconds depending on the early pace. I tend to allow about a half second or so for wet tracks, or quicker on firm turf racing.

For Santa Anita's unique hillside turf course, for those Abt. 6 1/2 furlong races, I tend to use the final time as a benchmark, and in my case, it's 1:06 because the furlong panels can be so exaggerated by the downhill runs and the run across the main track into the stretch.

Quarter horse racing is so much different. For that purpose, I use the final furlong to see how fast they're likely to run the distance. In that case, as my local QH track is Los Alamitos, I use 9.40-9.75 to benchmark their speeds, as it can really vary based on the class of the race.

Answer 2

Well it depends on what you are looking for (and what breed). In a thoroughbred race, a 12 second furlong is considered solid, sub 12 is fast. But a 12 second furlong for a 2yo in training sale would be down right pedestrian. Last month at Barretts three horses worked 1 furlong in 9 and 3/5.

Answer 3

All I know is a horse can run fast furlong time!! :)

Answer 4

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