Churchills numbers down

[Valuist]

I'm not surprised at this. With all the rain and short fields, something had to give.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/57097.html

[Thomason]

I'm fond of Churchill Downs, but the short fields this meet were very disappointing.

[kenwoodallpromos]

Jockey club online says starts per horse per hprse per year keeps declining, from 10 in 1970's to 8 ib 1980's to 6.87(?) now. Shorter fields cvan result from 3-4 less races per year per horse.
As long as purses beat inflation rate who cares? Not the breeders and owners.