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To: the OlLine Rebel

When talking about physical requirements, fatigue, etc., one can most certainly compare horse racing to human sports (we are both animals who are bound by our physiology). In all human sports we have found it useful to have all teams, individuals, etc. compete after being exposed to as identical physical requirements as possible (especially when competing for the top prize, championship, etc.)

Given that physical preparation is (likely) the most critical aspect of horse racing, it is odd to me that horse racing has not adapted (as every other sport has) and tried to equate, as closely as possible, the physical state of the horses running for the sport’s top honor.

Horse racing is in decline. It surely won’t attract new fans if, when they watch, all they see is people trying to be the “spoiler.” For example, between 1948 and 1973 (the time between Citation and Secretariat winning the TC), there were 7 years (out of 25) in which a horse won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness but lost the Belmont. An almost identical (but slightly elevated) pattern happened in the 25 years following Affirmed winning the TC (9 years with a horse winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness but losing the Belmont). However, the majority of these happened in the later half (last 8 years) of the 25 year period. In the last 8 years of the 25-year period, there were 5 years (out of 9 - just over 50%) in which a horse won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness and lost the Belmont. For an equal comparison, looking at the 8 years prior to Secretariat winning the TC, there were 4 years (out of 7 - just over 50%) with a horse winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness but losing the Belmont occurred in this 17 year period, BUT, when that happened in the 1960s and 1970s, the increase in rate of first-two race winners predicted a TC.

Today, we seem to be moving in the opposite direction. Since the end of the 25 year period, we are averaging a horse winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness but losing the Belmont every third year - a rate of 33% compared to a rate of 28% in the period between Citation and Secretariat winning the TC. Combine a lack of seeing the “big championship,” the TC, and the possibility of owners trying to be the “spoiler” (which reeks of selfish interest and lack of loyalty to the sport - loyalty seems to be one of the most important things to fans), and it’s not hard to see why people are becoming disillusioned and disinterested.


144 posted on 06/08/2014 7:56:50 PM PDT by goonie4life9
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To: goonie4life9

This is not about physical prep. Maybe more mental and emotional prep.

Bottom line, you cannot deny this: a horse has no idea what is planned, he really has no idea this is a job and competition. He chooses nothing; humans choose for him if they want to race him. He has no say.

He doesn’t plan because he is not human, and he cannot tell us when he doesn’t feel well and not up to the level of the stake requested of him.

Thus it is up to humans to figure that out as best they can.

Making this a requirement is ludicrous. What meaning has a TC when it will always result in a couple horses competing and nary a full field. That is not competition.

Increasing requirements is another thing. There really should be BETTER horses in these alleged elite races. Many times most of them are really dismal.


145 posted on 06/08/2014 8:49:46 PM PDT by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue./Technological progress cannot be legislated.)
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