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Originally Posted by Storm Cadet
Secretariat raced 8 times as a 2yo and many of those races were at 8.5f. Affirmed raced NINE times as a 2yo and ran the San Anita Derby at 9F and the Holleywood Derby at 10F in California prior to Churchill Downs. So in years past, a foundation was layed down. Why is the Derby the 1st time they probably race that far.
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Actually, Secretariat ran 9 times as a 2yo and only the final two were at 8.5 furlongs after he had a foundation of seven races working up to that distance. I don't have Affirmed's past performances in front of me but I believe it to be the same case. I actually think part of the problem is that the 2yos are stretched out too quick in an attempt to space their races and keep them fresh for their 3yo season that they wind up going two turns before they get the foundation sprinting. Many top horses now start at 5-6 furlongs, move up to 7 for their second start, and are on to 8 or 8.5 by their third. If Secretariat and Affirmed were so successful getting that foundation in sprints before going two turns and were then able to win the Triple Crown why aren't trainers today trying that? I'm not advocating 9 races cause I know the majority of horses today couldn't do that even though it is pathetic that they could 30 years ago and can't now. But why not at least get four starts in at 7 furlongs or less before you stretch the horse out to a mile or 8.5?