Should a Non-Betting Barrier Trial Be Required for Two Year Olds?
 

Recent conversation during a NYRA Talking Horses episode focused on the guessing game associated with two year old races. Bettors are left to handicap sales prices, trainer records, jockey habits, and workouts with unknown intent. While this leads to tote board watching for the "smart money" and might be a charm of Saratoga in particular as the babies debut, it does leave the bettor in the dark all too often.

Is it time to require a five furlong on-track charted trial race before allowing two year olds to race in a parimutuel event?

I enjoy betting the 2 year races as they are going through works and trainer stats. Have had some luck this year so far.

The Aussies do it all the time. Mini races, better than works.

I remember them having Aiken trials every year. They were non-betting, but the full charts used to be printed in the DRF. There was no internet yet. In fact I'm not sure if there was simulcasting.