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General Category => Harness Racing => Topic started by: captaintreacherous on July 04, 2026, 07:21:55 PM

Title: 3 year old colt Pacing Division has deteriorated ....
Post by: captaintreacherous on July 04, 2026, 07:21:55 PM
2 years ago we had some legit horses knocking heads

and showing up for The Jug, Metro and Pepsi NA Cup
as well as the Meadowlands Pace.
Captain Albano, Captains Quarters, Nijinsky, Legendary
Hanover, even the doped up Funtime Bayama until
Canada's 10 Time Obrien award winning trainer got exposed
on the World Stage.


Now all I see is a fast Sire Stakes Colt from Canada and
 an  Indiana gelding ,both ducking the Meadowlands Pace.

We are down to maybe the worst crop in a decade.

How is it possible that both the "top" colts are

not showing up at The Meadowlands Pace??

Are they lame?   

Has Harness Racing come to this?

Title: Re: 3 year old colt Pacing Division has deteriorated ....
Post by: Sweet on July 04, 2026, 07:25:29 PM
Not the first time it's been said here....

They're burning through them at 2 like there is no tomorrow.

Quite frankly, Obsolete did his 148 with ease, BB has the inside advantage but why go full throttle tonight when 3 are getting a bye...maybe we'll see more up an comers and not the usual suspect household names.

The 3 yo fillies look strong  tmbz1

Title: Re: 3 year old colt Pacing Division has deteriorated ....
Post by: MIKE CAMPBELL on July 04, 2026, 07:35:17 PM
If harness racing wants to remain relevant, they need to eliminate two year old racing, move it up one year and offer stakes for 3 and 4 year olds.
Title: Re: 3 year old colt Pacing Division has deteriorated ....
Post by: Harness racer on July 04, 2026, 07:41:10 PM
This topic is regurgitated from BigM prerace show.
Title: Re: 3 year old colt Pacing Division has deteriorated ....
Post by: Laag on July 04, 2026, 08:12:27 PM
because they are going multiple sub 149 miles as 2 years olds and if you are pacing 151 as a 2 year old you are basically relagated to 10K claimers the next season

the 2 year old races are killing the sport
Title: Re: 3 year old colt Pacing Division has deteriorated ....
Post by: captaintreacherous on July 04, 2026, 08:16:19 PM
The players cant even bet anymore...

How many times have you played a horse that was

6/5 or even money when the gate left...

and at the 1/2 mile pole you see 1/5 odds.


This has helped kill the sport.
Title: Re: 3 year old colt Pacing Division has deteriorated ....
Post by: MIKE CAMPBELL on July 04, 2026, 08:18:32 PM
because they are going multiple sub 149 miles as 2 years olds and if you are pacing 151 as a 2 year old you are basically relagated to 10K claimers the next season

the 2 year old races are killing the sport
Correct
Title: Re: 3 year old colt Pacing Division has deteriorated ....
Post by: Harness racer on July 04, 2026, 08:20:35 PM
That’s the worst part of betting for me.  Thinking im getting 2-1 and I get
2-5.  Doesn’t feel legit.  Betting should be done 30 seconds before the race.  I know it will never happen, but that’s the only way to make the small time player want to win bet.
Title: Re: 3 year old colt Pacing Division has deteriorated ....
Post by: Lockedin with Pace on July 04, 2026, 08:23:21 PM
Would owners still invest money in high price yearlings if they couldn't see the track until 3, some definitely wouldn't.
Title: Re: 3 year old colt Pacing Division has deteriorated ....
Post by: MIKE CAMPBELL on July 04, 2026, 08:26:15 PM
Would owners still invest money in high price yearlings if they couldn't see the track until 3, some definitely wouldn't.
That is a fair point
Title: Re: 3 year old colt Pacing Division has deteriorated ....
Post by: Harness racer on July 04, 2026, 08:35:17 PM
Would owners still invest money in high price yearlings if they couldn't see the track until 3, some definitely wouldn't.

Excellent question.  Another year of bills with no return.  Or would the sales schedules completely change?
Title: Re: 3 year old colt Pacing Division has deteriorated ....
Post by: BrokenHeadPole on July 05, 2026, 05:49:28 AM
TRACKS DON'T CARE ABOUT THE SMALL TIME BETTOR. ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS THE CAW MONEY AND THE PHONY HANDLES. THESE CAWS ARE TRULY KILLING THE SPORT.
ITS NEAR 50% of HANDLE AT MANY TRACKS. EVERY YEAR. MORE AND MORE PEOPLE LEAVE OUR SPORT. AND IT'S GOING TO GET WORSE. THE TRACKS CREATED A MONSTER AND NOW CAN'T FIX IT
Title: Re: 3 year old colt Pacing Division has deteriorated ....
Post by: Kenny on July 05, 2026, 08:09:53 AM
Would owners still invest money in high price yearlings if they couldn't see the track until 3, some definitely wouldn't.

That is exactly the point. The customer base for harness racing is gone. For the most part the races are held in order to distribute government handouts. The inflated purses from the handouts has made breeding the top horses the optimal decision. That means the "stars" are only on the track for a short time never to be seen again. If you want to attract fans, you need the "stars" on the track. With the sire stakes programs it makes it possible to skip the grand circuit races.

As I have said before, take 75% of the money for two year old and 50% of the money for three year old and move it to races for horses four years old and older. That way horses could earn big money for several years while generating fan interest. At the same time the risk profile of breeding changes to make racing a more favorable choice.

It is only a matter of time until the politicians grab the handout money because few of the voters care about racing and the casino industry lobbies enough to get decoupling.
Title: Re: 3 year old colt Pacing Division has deteriorated ....
Post by: BrokenHeadPole on July 05, 2026, 08:36:14 AM
If you look at the sales results, it's the same big-time trainers with the same deep-pocket owners who are buying the top horses. There is no guarantee that the more you spend, will get you the best, but it sure helps. But these owners have big egos and are very well funded. They would still spend.
Title: Re: 3 year old colt Pacing Division has deteriorated ....
Post by: Kenny on July 05, 2026, 09:10:19 AM
If you look at the sales results, it's the same big-time trainers with the same deep-pocket owners who are buying the top horses. There is no guarantee that the more you spend, will get you the best, but it sure helps. But these owners have big egos and are very well funded. They would still spend.

First people with money did not become wealthy by made bad financial decision. The difference would be they portion of what they are investing in would shift somewhat from racehorse and possible breeding material would shift toward the racehorse component. Horses would stay on the track longer.
Title: Re: 3 year old colt Pacing Division has deteriorated ....
Post by: seen2much on July 05, 2026, 11:46:30 AM
They go to fast because of the dopers. I remember normal trainer saying horses will chase as fast as can. The speed is ridiculous and his horse was blowing to hard...after the race. All this leads to injuries.
The sport has done nothing to stop the big cheats. In order to compete on a big stage you have to do something. There is no other way to be competitive.
Title: Re: 3 year old colt Pacing Division has deteriorated ....
Post by: seen2much on July 05, 2026, 11:50:14 AM
In Canada there were 13 two year old fillies and 13 two year old colts and gelding. That is all that race in ONTARIO SIRES STAKES GOLD LEG 1.
Slim pickings....
Title: Re: 3 year old colt Pacing Division has deteriorated ....
Post by: Brown jug on July 05, 2026, 02:50:14 PM
newsflash!!
burke swept the 2 yr old fillies at meadows friday

yes in ontario there were two divisions  for 2 yr old colts and fillies pacers going for $100k each
a 2 yr old filly went in 150.3 ( granted off a soft 2 hole) but cmon its crazy
wonder how that filly will be the rest of the year and next year
Title: Re: 3 year old colt Pacing Division has deteriorated ....
Post by: captaintreacherous on July 05, 2026, 11:08:37 PM
Yes Brown Jug...I agree ....
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