In 2013, the New York Racing Association placed a blue-and-white checkered pole at Belmont Park to mark that winning margin; using Equibase's official measurement of a length—8 feet 2 inches (2.49 m)—the pole was placed 253 feet 2 inches (77.17 m) from the finish line.
The actual number of lengths-per-second varies according to the type of race and the going conditions.
[3] Distances smaller than that are similarly described in reference to the equine body with terms such as a "neck",[1] and a "head", a "short head" or "nose", the smallest possible named advantage by which a horse can win.
Harness race finishing margins are typically measured in meters.
In reporting result of horse races winning margins are commonly abbreviated: