This is where the sport needs to follow the lead of Jeff Gural and expand on the policies he implemented for his Harness tracks (The Meadowlands, Vernon Downs and Tioga Downs) that now basically require top horses to return for their four year old season as any horse by a stallion who was four or younger when conceived is ineligible for all major stakes (except the Hambletonian) at tracks Gural owns and also at Woodbine and Mohawk (including The North American Cup, arguably the most important event for three year old pacers). This already has had its desired effect as virtually every top three year old from last year returned for their four year old seasons and have created some of the best races seen in years at the very top level. As I would do it, I would expand on that and make it so horses sired by stallion who were FIVE or younger when conceived would be ineligible for ALL Graded stakes events, including the Breeders Cup and Triple Crown races, making it so top thoroughbreds have to race through their five year old campaigns. This, especially if coupled with a phase-out of Lasix over five years would help strengthen the breed considerably as horses would have to be bred for stamina and durability over speed and precociousness. That over time also would likely force trainers to change their ways on training horses and perhaps even see the Breeders Cup Classic and Distaff both lengthened to 1 5/8 Miles (the distance they should be run at as it would force a lot of other major stakes to be lengthened with it). This would help strengthen the sport in the long run, although many who would stand to lose because they would not be able to adjust would of course oppose it.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 05:14:38 +0000
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