How fast is the RED Mile?

[winky]

I have had more than a few handicappers mention that they feel

there should be an * in the Program with regard to The Red Mile

 having "artificially enhanced " fast times.

One point being that when transferred to other tracks the Red Mile

speed generally doesnot hold up.

Historically The Red Mile has catered to the Breeders who wish

to show speed...which is fine.

I , personally love The Red Mile...and I think everyone in the

Industry takes the fast times with a grain of salt.

After all, when a horse is Time Trialed...

they donot head to a nitetime track (e.g Meadowlands/Mohawk)..

but make a beeline for the Red Mile in Lexington...justl y so.

The warm weather combined with the Bouncy Red Clay

provide the perfect storm for super fast racetimes...

 It is also fairly calm with not much wind as well.

 often 1-2 seconds or more faster than the night time counterparts.

I remember when I started betting the races at Roosevelt

and Yonkers....I got burnt pretty good when I saw racelines on the



 ship ins that showed recent  Red Mile stats and thought I

 "was stealing money"...

  It took awhile to figure out why The Red Mile horses that showed

  1:57  were losing badly in 2:04 and slower at Roosevelt.

  I studied the comparative Speed Ratings and did the math.

  $1000  later of hard earned money and I had the

  Red Mile " speed fallacy" understood as a handicapper.

   Maybe an *  next to the Red Mile may help the newbies.

   1/2 Mile Track?    ADD 4 seconds ++..5/8  2/3 seconds+

   Night time Mile and 7/8 Mile tracks  Add  at least 1 second +

   What say you?

   Am I "out to lunch" ?




zzz

[Bitter Truth]

Obviously 'considerably' faster..Doesn't mean they can't race well elsewhere..Are they setting the fractions or close up in those times or are they just being 'drug along' to exaggerated times, would be something specific to look at.

[rainman2]

Obviously 'considerably' faster..Doesn't mean they can't race well elsewhere..Are they setting the fractions or close up in those times or are they just being 'drug along' to exaggerated times, would be something specific to look at.

Maybe a better question should be is the mile actually 5280 feet or a little bit less?

[Mailbox Money]

There should also be a similar notation by any horse that took a life mark at. NFLD!

[Brown jug]

knowing the tracks is part of handicapping
jmo

[Brkn Headpole]

John Campbell has said that the 2nd quarter is slightly down hill so you see some wicked fractions goin to the half.

[The Thorn]

It's also a 100% straightaway which is why the 2nd quarters are almost always faster than the first.

[jupiter]

Only place faster was Colonial.

[rainman2]

Only place faster was Colonial.

Maybe they should bring harness racing back to Colonial!  They could make it an all-speed day (meadowlands pace day ?) like they used to do at the meadowlands when every race went 1.50 or faster!  They actually posted the fastest race day at the meadowlands in the USTA speed and records book!

[Stan durbread]

John Campbell has said that the 2nd quarter is slightly down hill so you see some wicked fractions goin to the half.

At The Red Mile there is a 10’ drop in elevation from the Round Barn to just before the 1/2 where the jog track and racetrack meets