Espoir City - BC Classic - Spiked Shoes???

[GatetoWire]

Anyone have any idea what Sato meant by these comments?

http://www.drf.com/news/espoir-city-gives-japan-its-best-breeders-cup-shot

Tetsuzo Sato, his jockey, said he purposely did not to go the lead, even though Espoir City normally heads to the front, because he will be going farther in the Classic.

“We were boxed in this race,” Sato said. “But considering the distance of our next race, I thought it was not a good idea to lead. In addition to that, I would like to let him run with small and quick stride, instead of big stride, because he is going to run with spiked shoes in USA.”


What does he mean by "run with spiked shoes in USA"??


Any ideas???? Are these turndowns or do they run with different shoes in Japan than they do in the US?

[csperberg]

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5183801_types-spiked-horse-shoes.html

[Robert Fischer]

#3 fin 2nd
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[GatetoWire]

Any idea why they feel they need to add more grab to his shoes?

Are the tracks in Japan not as loose or deep as Churchill?

It just seems like a very odd comment about a horse who has run on dirt many times and will be running on dirt at Churchill.

[Robert Fischer]

Any idea why they feel they need to add more grab to his shoes?

Are the tracks in Japan not as loose or deep as Churchill?

It just seems like a very odd comment about a horse who has run on dirt many times and will be running on dirt at Churchill.

Japanese dirt tracks can be on the "sandy" side.

[joanied]

Don't we have some new rules on caulks? Or am I thinking of something else...maybe toe grabs.