Crystal Pouncey
May 05, 2024 - 04:25

Kentucky Derby 2024 Photo Finish Judging Process: What You Need to Know

Photo finish technology reveals Mystik Dan's nose just ahead in closest Kentucky Derby finish since 1996, thrilling racing fans worldwide.

The recent Kentucky Derby race had fans on the edge of their seats as Mystik Dan's nose crossed the finish line just ahead of Sierra Leone and Forever Young in the closest finish since 1996. Thanks to technology, racing fans were able to witness this nail-biting moment unfold.

A high-speed camera positioned at the finish line captures multiple images in quick succession, allowing judges to create a composite photo of the finish. This technology, described by Kimber Murray, a judge at Lone Star Park, enables judges to determine the precise placement of each horse. In tight races, additional stewards may be called in to provide their input on the finish.

The computer program used in these photo finishes can place a vertical line on the photo, making it easier for judges to compare the positions of the horses. Even in cases of a dead heat, the images can be enlarged to reveal minute details such as individual hairs on the horses' chins.

Tracks like Churchill Downs, Belmont Park, and Pimlico Race Course utilize a system developed by Lynx System Developers to capture race finishes with incredible precision. These cameras capture thousands of frames per second, ensuring accuracy to the 1/1,000th of a second or greater.

At Churchill Downs, Jerry Mahoney has been timing races for over two decades, using multiple cameras to film each race from the rooftop. On Derby Day, he even has a backup camera in place. Similarly, at Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment in New Jersey, a photo finish operator manually activates timers at specific points along the track to capture each horse as it crosses the finish line.

The thrill of a photo finish in horse racing is unmatched, and the Kentucky Derby has seen its fair share of close calls over the years. The excitement and anticipation leading up to these moments are what make horse racing such a captivating sport. So, next time you watch a race, keep an eye out for those hair-raising finishes that keep us all on the edge of our seats.