Quote:
Originally Posted by freddymo
I don't agree with the new rule to limit the purses to 2x of claiming tag. I loved when MP had nickels running for 30k. I loved how the fields were huge and horses would drop from being well placed in 20k claimer into 5's. I thought it was fun handicapping and added to the fun. What's wrong with a field of 12 7500 claimers running for 28k?
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I understand what the rule is intended to accomplish; I'm not sure it does that, especially with tracks like Parx having $7,500 claimers running for purses that are at least 3X the claiming price.
I always thought that, when things got rough the past few years, NYRA "cheapened" the condition book to avoid having to announce a purse cut. For example, it is not that long ago that the bottom claiming price on turf was $35,000; it was dropped to $25,000 (with essentially the same horses), with a corresponding drop in purse (and has subsequently been dropped even further). One way to get around the new rule would be to reinflate the condition book (in the example above, re-raise the bottom claiming price on turf to $35,000); then the rule has little applicability. I'm surprised that NYRA has not done that.