Quote:
Originally Posted by the_fat_man
While I agree with you comments as they apply to FG and CD, which are LEGITIMATELY FAIR tracks, I certainly don't think the same applies, in general, to NY or FL racing. GP and TAM certainly don't play as fair as the above two tracks, and NY winter racing is a JOKE. And, betting closers, the little that I've seen, at OP is a quick path to the poor house.
By 'fair', I mean horses having an equal chance to win from off the pace.
I certainly disagree, and disagree strongly with your assessment of POLY. Of course, this is the standard take, and thus I'm in the minority. Horses having a competitive chance to win from behind does not imply that the results will be 'randon and generally meaningless'.
The fight on this forum (and others) AGAINST fair racing rivals that of the Aristotelians against the Copernicans. I realize it involves a conceptual shift and the present system won't allow for it.
Let's face it, having an advantage because you have the lead is something unique in racing in general. It only happens in thoroughbred DIRT races.
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You have this thing against frontrunners which I don't understand. Having an advantage in the lead is NOT unique to thoroughbred dirt racing- how many humans win sprints when they break in the back of the pack? Or swimmers going 100 meters? Not many, and from an energy expenditure perspective a 6F horse race is akin to humans sprinting 100 meters. An additional benefit of running up front is you're guaranteed a clear path, which is not a hinderance in human sprint races as lanes are defined. A third benefit in cheaper/maiden races is the mentality of horses- they are, by nature, pack animals. Many of them don't get trained well enough to learn how to pass another one [this does not apply to top class or older horses].
While I don't disagree with your analysis of the Aqueduct inner, I don't understand why you continue to fight it. Betting closers and outside posts on the inner is a quick trip to the poor house- so why not embrace rather than fight?