Jimbo,

I am in your camp on this.

There are at least a few counter forces working against the "MUCH faster" theory.

The pool of horses is actually smaller now than it was in many past years. Plus some of the best horses and stallions of that smaller pool have moved overseas to race and breed as rich foreigners bid up the prices and shipped them elsewhere.

That's a lot different than the vast increase in human population and the higher percentage of that population that is now in a position and economically motivated to participate in athletic competition.

I think most people think horses are probably getting faster over time. It's degree that's tough to prove.