Trakus Unveiled at Belmont Park

Trakus, the wireless tracking system that allows viewers to follow the precise position of each horse throughout a race via colored "chicklets" at the bottom of the television screen, was unveiled today at Belmont Park and will also be employed at Aqueduct Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course.

To make Trakus work, a tiny transponder is placed in the saddletowel of each horse. The transponder sends a signal to antennas around the racetrack to generate, via computer, a digital image that is shown on the bottom of the television screen corresponding to the saddletowel colors. The chicklets move in real-time, showing the actual position of the horses relative to the pack.

"We are pleased to offer this innovative technology to improve the experience of our customers both on- and off-track," said Eric Wing, director of communications for The New York Racing Association, Inc. "It is part of our continuing effort to offer the very best information to our fans."