Re: "Faster than they used to be" (543 Views)
Posted by:
twoshoes (IP Logged)
Date: November 16, 2004 11:35AM
<Does it make any sense that 3yos used to be able to run a prep race between the Preaknes and the Belmont and finish off the season soundly after another 10 races and now after 5 or so races they are carted off in a wagon dead for the season?>
CH,
Frankly yes. Speed is bred to speed far more today looking for the Classic distance runner than it was at that point. Add to that the fact that allowing Grade I runners to race on lasix had a tremendous effect on the breeding industry. They were in fact free to roll the dice with animals that weren't capable of handling the rigors of the type of campaign you mention. Medication was an out. I'm no expert, but in my opinion we are seeing the result of -
1) Breeding more for speed and less for stamina and the things (infirmities)that inherently come with that.
2) Medication and nutritional advancement
3) The likely increase in foul play that comes with a masking drug like lasix.
All in all it makes sense to me that Jerry is probably right and that given the above we are seeing the breed as a whole somewhat faster than it was years ago and also more fragile.