In a race, what is the reference to “poles”?
We think in terms of eighths or sixteenths of a mile. Thus when someone references a pole, they are noting the distance from the wire (the end of the race). For example, a horse that makes a move at the quarter pole is starting its run a quarter of a mile from the wire. There are usually phsyical poles marking each eighth of a mile. Most racetracks are uniformly the same, one mile around, so a jockey will know which pole he / she is passing by its placement on the racetrack. Of course Belmont can throw off an “out of town” rider as it is a mile and a half round.
