Arlington is one of the most popular racetracks in the United States. Located in Arlington Heights, Illinois, the racetrack has a long and storied history that dates back to 1927. It has been the site of many memorable events, including the renowned Arlington Million, the first Thoroughbred race ever held with a purse of $1 million. As such, Arlington is widely regarded as one of the premier racetracks in the nation. But how long are the races at Arlington? This article will explore the race lengths at Arlington and what to expect when attending a race at the track.
Overview of Races at Arlington
Arlington Park is primarily a Thoroughbred-only racetrack, although the track does occasionally host harness racing events. The most common race lengths at Arlington are sprints, which are races that are typically one mile or less in distance. However, there are other race lengths that are featured at the track, including routes, which are races that are longer than one mile, and stakes races, which are races with higher purses and typically longer distances.
Sprints
The majority of the races at Arlington are sprints. These races typically range from 5 furlongs (1,000 yards) to 7 furlongs (1,400 yards). The 5-furlong sprints are the most common, typically lasting around one minute. The 6-furlong races are slightly longer, usually lasting around 1 minute and 10 seconds. The 7-furlong races are the longest of the sprints, and typically last around 1 minute and 20 seconds.
Routes
Routes are races that are longer than one mile. These races typically range from 1 mile to 1 1/2 miles in distance. The 1-mile races at Arlington usually last around 2 minutes and 10 seconds. The 1 1/16-mile races usually last around 2 minutes and 30 seconds. The longest routes at Arlington are the 1 1/8-mile and 1 1/2-mile races, which typically last around 3 minutes and 5 minutes, respectively.
Stakes Races
Stakes races are the most prestigious races at Arlington. These races typically feature larger purses and longer distances. The most common stakes races at Arlington are the Grade 3 and Grade 2 races, which range from 1 1/16 miles to 1 3/16 miles in distance. Grade 1 races are the most prestigious at Arlington, and these races typically range from 1 1/8 miles to 1 1/2 miles in distance.
Race Lengths by Age Group
At Arlington, the race lengths vary based on the age group of the horses participating. For the 2-year-old horses, the shortest races are typically 5 furlongs, with the longest races being 7 furlongs. For the 3-year-old horses, the shortest races are typically 6 furlongs, with the longest races being 1 1/16 miles. For the 4-year-old and older horses, the shortest races are typically 6 furlongs, with the longest races being 1 1/2 miles.
Purse Lengths
The purse lengths at Arlington also vary based on the race. The purses for the sprints range from $15,000 to $50,000, while the purses for the routes range from $50,000 to $100,000. The purses for the stakes races range from $100,000 to $500,000.
Track Conditions
The track conditions at Arlington can have a big impact on the race lengths. The track is usually fast with a deep, evenly-packed surface. However, the track can become muddy or sloppy after a heavy rain. In these conditions, the race lengths can be shorter due to the slower pace of the horses.
Types of Races
At Arlington, there are several different types of races. These include:
- Maiden Races – These are races for horses that have never won a race. The race lengths for these races can vary, but they are usually 5 furlongs to 7 furlongs in distance.
- Allowance Races – These are races for horses that have won one or more races. The race lengths for these races can vary, but they are usually 6 furlongs to 1 1/16 miles in distance.
- Claiming Races – These are races for horses that are for sale. The race lengths for these races can vary, but they are usually 5 furlongs to 1 1/16 miles in distance.
- Stakes Races – These are the most prestigious races at Arlington. The race lengths for these races can vary, but they are usually 1 1/8 miles to 1 1/2 miles in distance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the race lengths at Arlington vary based on the type of race and the age group of the horses. The most common races are sprints, which are typically 5 furlongs to 7 furlongs in distance. The longest races are stakes races, which range from 1 1/8 miles to 1 1/2 miles in distance. The track conditions can also have an impact on the race lengths, as races can be shorter in muddy or sloppy conditions.
FAQs
How long are the races at Arlington?
The races at Arlington vary in length based on the type of race and the age group of the horses. The most common races are sprints, which are typically 5 furlongs to 7 furlongs in distance. The longest races are stakes races, which range from 1 1/8 miles to 1 1/2 miles in distance.
What are the purses for the races at Arlington?
The purses for the races at Arlington vary based on the type of race. The purses for the sprints range from $15,000 to $50,000, while the purses for the routes range from $50,000 to $100,000. The purses for the stakes races range from $100,000 to $500,000.