Understanding Racing Fractions
What is A String of Twelves in Thoroughbred Speed Measurements?
Today's thoroughbreds are bred more for speed than stamina. The 1-1/2 miles Belmont Stakes is a Triple Crown stopper for many speedy horses.
A running time of 2:24 flat by a thoroughbred over 1-1/2 miles is an exceptional feat, a la Secretariat in the 1973 Belmont Stakes.
Why is that exceptional? How are thoroughbreds timed for speed?
If a horse can run a flat course one-eighth of a mile in twelve seconds, he is showing real speed. If he can put together several one-eighth miles in that time, or a string of twelves (a twelve clip), he is speed-ready. Running at a twelve clip for four furlongs in a race of one mile, to one mile and a quarter, is a standard speed-ready measurement. The horse who can do it consistently should often run in the money. Win, place (second), and show (third) are the in the money finishes shown on the board recording a race's results. A fourth place finish, or less is an off the board finish.
Each furlong is one eighth of a mile. Thus, a one mile race is eight sections of running time. One and a quarter miles is ten furlongs, ten eighths; a mile and one half is twelve furlongs, twelve eighths. A horse running a twelve-clip would cover one-eighth of a mile in 0:12 (twelve seconds); one quarter in 0:24; three eighths in 0:36; and a half mile in 0:48. Those measurements are his time in fractions, or splits.
If one looks at Secretariat's 1973 Kentucky Derby fractions, he can compare and measure the five fractions of the 1-1/4 miles race for speed: 0:25-1/5; 0:24; 0:23-4/5; 0:23-2/5; 0:23. Each quarter mile was run faster than the last one.
It is more difficult to maintain a twelve-clip after the first four furlongs. If a thoroughbred ran twelves for 10 furlongs, or 1-1/4 miles, the Kentucky Derby distance, he would cover the ground in 2:00 flat. Northern Dancer achieved that in 1964. Secretariat broke that record by running the Derby in 1:59-2/5. His time is still the standing record for the Derby.
Speedy runners are often stymied by the long finish of the 1-1/2 miles race in the American Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes. Speed cannot be sustained over the entire distance of the Belmont. Horses must, therefore, be schooled to give bursts of speed when signaled. Twelve twelves would be a mile and one half run in 2:24 flat, a time nearly unattainable by a normal thoroughbred.
In his Belmont Stakes, Secretariat performed in phenomenal fashion, maintaining his speed throughout the race to win by 31 lengths in 2:24 flat, still a world record today. His jockey, Ron Turcotte, said Big Red did it himself, without urging from him.
When one considers the fractions and how they are used as measuring sticks for thoroughbred speed, it becomes apparent that Secretariat was in a zone of his own in 1973.
