cheaters

[Emperor Dapple]

I disagree. With all of the backstretch antics it never gets boring. It’s a soap opera that is more entertaining than the racing.

[wisha roder]

Not all positives are equal.  There are plenty of medications that are vet prescribed that can stay in the horse's system beyond what is a "normal" time range.  It depends on the horses system. That also doesn't mean it is always performance enhancing.  Yes, there are "scum" in all aspects of business when there's money involved.  Racing is no different.  And, here's an idea...some trainers are actually better trainers than others.

[Brown jug]

and yet in thoroughbreds time is mostly irrelevant
as we know  their records of 10 or more years ago have not changed drastically
the focus is on the winner of the race not so much the time
even handicappers while time is important look more at  the pace of the race and who they beat or got beat by
yet harness became obsessed with lowering the times making it not as appealing to wager on

[Superfecta]

Brown Jug I have always categorized trotters and pacers the same. You have the Early types, the Pressing types and the Dead closer types when all the front speed falls apart. I always thought the first 1/8 of a mile determined what the back 1/2 was going to be. Deceleration of the Early types makes the Pressers and Sustained Closers look better than they really are so I like to focus on the Pressing types who show some grit and close into a fast back half.

Thank you Al Stanley.

[Brown jug]

agreed iceman, that theory still holds true but to a lesser extent given how the front end speed can hold up even after fast fractions
very few races won by closers now, the pressers are now the closers
the first 1/8 of a mile is important on many fronts and yet most tracks cannot figure out how to show it in the program
the orchard park was awesome in  its day