Greyhound races feature 8 dogs each, wearing saddle blankets and muzzles for identification and safety. Dogs are graded by past performance and held in pens before races. Lead-outs control dogs during the post parade and starting boxes. Races start when gates open as a mechanical lure passes; if caught, the race is void. Courses typically range from 5/16 to 7/16 mile, with greyhounds reaching speeds up to 43 mph. Multiple race times are offered, labeled as Day, Matinee, Evening, or Twilight.
- There are 8 dogs in each race
- Each wears a saddle-type blanket for identification
- Each dog wears an identical muzzle to prevent nipping and to provide a sharp and high-contrast image in the event of a photo finish
- Each dog has a specific “grade”, depending on how well it has raced previously – see the Grading System sheet for more info!
- About 10 minutes before the race, each dog is brought onto the track – held by a short leash by a “lead out”
- The Lead Out is in charge of controlling the dog during the post parade, place the dog in the starting box (or trap) and collecting the dog after the race
- The lead-outs are under strict instructions to avoid talking with any fans, or each other during this process
- Before the Post Parade, the dogs are individually penned in a supervised lock-up area for at least 2 hours before the program starts
- The most common courses are set for approximately 5/16 – mile, 3/8 – mile, or 7/16 – mile, though some tracks vary these distances slightly
- To start the race, the greyhounds are placed in boxes (or traps) and the gates open once the mechanical lure passes the boxes
- If the lure is caught by the greyhounds the race is void
- The lure often has a nickname
- Tracks will often have a “Day” card, a “Matinee” card, an “Evening” card and/or a “Twilight” card
- These are abbreviated next to the track name as: (Day) / (Mat) / (Eve) / (Twi)
- Greyhounds can reach speeds of up to 43 mph within 30 meters (98 ft)