Speed isn't a disadvantage on poly. It's just not the advantage that it is on dirt. It's essentially the same as what it is on turf. To wire the field on turf or poly you have to earn it. You have to actually run well rather than have the track carry you. As a handicapper, this is about as challenging as it gets.You need to be able to identify a horse that has the guts to fight it out on the front end. What's beautiful about the surface is that you can have the best horse in the race and not be afraid to bet it in the case of a pace disadvantage, as you know that if your jock correctly times his move, he'll run down the loose leader.
The time trial analogy is not a good one. This is an individual effort. I'd certainly be all for speed figures is tbred racing was a time trial.
Racing (both cycling and tbred) is a group effort. But it's interesting that in cycling the drafter has a huge advantage, while in dirt racing the pace setter has it.
I thought about Personal Ensign after my initial post. Unfortunately, I don't have the charts of her races and can't really compare her style. Did she come from last in all her races?
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