*** You guys are driving me nuts .
A length and a fifth of a second are WORTH MORE at shorter distances , but they are NOT weight . You are comparing apples and oranges here . According to TG 5LBS = 1 point AT ALL DISTANCES - PERIOD , END OF DISCUSSION . Beaten lengths are irrelevant to weight carried . I assume that the reason this is taken as gospel is due to the fact that at shorter distances the energy required to attain maximum velocity from a standing start is as significant to a horse as carrying weight for additional furlongs , but the additional furlongs are run by a horse already in motion , therefore the additional distance travelled is not a significant factor in measuring effort based upon weight carried.
This is an assumption , as i am not an engineer .
The following is a direct quote from JB re his post on figure making methodology . "We also know that 5 pounds = 1 point , which both Ragozin and TG use , while a good estimate is not accurate . But since we can't get the body weights of the individual horses , it will have to do ."
Not exactly a ringing endorsement for a nit picking discussion .
Now you guys can shake hands , and quit the pissing match . bj