I feel the same way about racing at 1 1/16 on 9f tracks - the turn comes up too soon to be fair to all runners. Not to mention that the horses don't get a chance to get balanced and can stress a joint (knee or ankle). And don't get me started on running 2yos on infield turf courses at 1 1/16 IN AUGUST! Poor babies.
While I'm on on the topic...,
Why are we unnecessarily lengthening the races for 2yos and cutting the races for older horses? The BC Juvie should be returned to a 1-turn mile; also cut the Kentucky JC, the Remsen, the Breeders' Futurity, etc. back to their original 1-turn distances. If Buckpasser, Citation, Bold Ruler, Affirmed, etc. didn't need no stinkin' 2-turn races as 2yos, why do our 'modern horses?' Is the modern method of racing 2yos so much better as a way of preparing them to be classic horses at 3?
Oops, I'm writing another editorial. Sorry.
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