Palermo Launches SRP: More Information and Accuracy in Every Race

The new Positioning Tracker System provides more reliable sectionals, positions, and times, bringing racing broadcasts up to the standards of the world’s leading racetracks

The new graphic, finally in action / CAPTURA DE PANTALLA

After a few weeks of bureaucratic delays, Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo officially rolled out its new Positioning Tracker System (SRP) this Friday, developed by Gmax Technology Ltd. and Total Performance Data Ltd. The system marks a historic transformation in Argentine racing broadcasts.

Just like at the Saudi Cup, Dubai World Cup, Royal Ascot, or Breeders’ Cup, Palermo now enjoys a major leap forward in data accuracy and race coverage—long overdue improvements that are finally becoming a reality.

The SRP delivers precise data including the exact meters traveled by each horse, the differences in distance between runners, split times for every horse, individual final times, and many more metrics.

Federico Spangenberg, Palermo’s General Manager, explained the system: “Each horse will carry two devices in its saddlecloth, and through GPS technology and antenna triangulation, the position of each runner on the track will be determined.

“All that information is integrated into the TV graphics, which will now be much more viewer-friendly. It’s what we see at top international events and racetracks worldwide. For bettors, this is especially valuable—it will be much easier to follow their horse’s position during the race. Plus, behind the scenes, it will generate an immense amount of useful data.”

The debut experience was a success, despite a few minor adjustments still needed in the coming days. The system’s official grand unveiling is scheduled for Carreras de las Estrellas in a few weeks, although it was originally intended for May 1st, during the Gran Premio República Argentina (G1).

Another major change comes in how times are recorded. From now on, the clock starts at the break from the gate—not with a flying start, as was previously the case. Even in its first run, the new system yielded more realistic times and significant differences in sectional splits, eliminating the outdated 20-second fractions often seen on screen. A monumental step forward.