SECTION 309.202. Track Length

(a) A racetrack must consist of an oval, a chute on the grandstand side of the oval, and a chute on the back side of the oval at the opposite end from the grandstand side chute.

(b) The oval must be, measured along a line three feet out from the face of the inside rail:

(1) for a Class 1 racetrack, at least one mile in circumference;

(2) for a Class 2 racetrack, at least seven-eighths mile in circumference; and

(3) for a Class 3 or 4 racetrack, at least five-eighths mile in circumference.

(c) The length of the chute on the grandstand side shall be such that the distance from the starting gate to the finish line must be:

(1) for a Class 1 or Class 2 racetrack, at least 550 yards; and

(2) for a Class 3 or Class 4 racetrack, at least 440 yards.

(d) The length of a chute on the back side shall be such that the distance from the starting gate to the finish line, must be:

(1) for a one mile track, at least seven furlongs long, so as to accommodate a race at a distance of seven furlongs;

(2) for a seven-eighths mile track and a three-fourths mile track, at least six furlongs long, so as to accommodate a race at a distance of six furlongs; and

(3) for a five-eighths mile track at a Class 3 or 4 racetrack, at least four furlongs long.

(e) The finish line of a racetrack must be at least 200 feet from the break of the first turn.

(f) The radius of each turn in the oval must be approved by the executive secretary.

Source Note: The provisions of this §309.202 adopted to be effective October 21, 1999, 24 TexReg 8969; amended to be effective June 1, 2001, 25 TexReg 4735; amended to be effective January 8, 2004, 29 TexReg 371