Greyhound Race Lengths

On a typical night at most greyhound tracks, there will be as many as 15 races, with eight different dogs in each race. The standard distances for greyhound races are 5/16-mile, 3/8-mile, 7/16-mile, and 9/16-mile. It takes just over half a minute to run a 5/16-mile course. The dogs can reach speeds of 45 miles per hour.

How the Dogs Are Graded

There are six grades of racing greyhounds. They are Grade A, Grade B, Grade C, Grade D, Grade E, and Grade M (Maiden). The dog who wins any race is moved up one grade until it reaches Grade A.

If any dog (except those in Grade D) fails to finish first, second, or third in three consecutive starts or does not earn more than one third place in four consecutive starts at the same grade, that dog will be lowered by one grade. Once a dog is in Grade D, it may fail to finish first, second, third, or fourth in four consecutive starts before being lowered.

Once a greyhound has been classified as Grade E, if it fails to finish first, second, third, or fourth in four consecutive starts, it will be disqualified from racing.

A "Maiden" greyhound is one that has not won an official race. A dog classified as a maiden which finishes fourth or better in a race may, at the request of the trainer, be upgraded to Grade D. This dog must compete only on a 3/8-mile course until it comes in first in a race.

Racing Odds

At a typical greyhound track, each dog is listed by number on the Odds Board (or Tote Board). The dog's odds are shown next to its number. These odds are for the "Win" pool only. They are not for the "Place" pool, the "show" pool, or the quiniella pool. Additionally, all quinella combinations are shown with odds given next to the combinations.

The amount of money that is bet on each dog in each pool affects the odds; thus, the odds can change quite a bit before the race starts. The more bets that are placed on a dog, the lower the odds will go. If only a few wagers are placed on a greyhound, that dog's odds will go up.

The odds shown on the Odds Board are all $1 odds. No limits are placed on how much can be won on a single bet. The amounts are determined only by the odds.