I don't think for a moment horses today are faster than the greats of years past, not for a single solitary moment. If they are earning faster figures that result is the product of circumstances, its my opinion they are not faster horses.

Firstly, you have to wonder if figures are made the same now as they were even 10 years ago. I know my "modified" figures have changed, I would not be the least bit surprised if T-Graphs and Rags are produced in a somewhat different manner. Heck, Jerry implied as much in a recent post.

Secondly, there may be facts or factors that handicappers are not fully aware of leading to these faster figures. I can think of at least one good factual circumstance to get to the result of assigning faster figs to three year olds.

From my perspective the final times of races are not exceedingly fast either, however the last two years the Derby time was quick. I think that was a jazzed track though.

Seattle Slew would have eaten up and spit out this years Derby crop.

CtC