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-   -   Why Not 16-Horse Fields? (http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=170306)

elhelmete 04-29-2022 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas Roulston (Post 2801179)
At Meydan - and formerly, Nad al Sheba - they use a 16-horse gate.

Why can't we import 16-horse gates from them - like we imported the 20-horse gate now used in the Kentucky Derby?

Since the 60-foot-wide Tapeta track at Gulfstream can accommodate 12-horse fields, it logically follows that any course (dirt or turf) that is at least 80 feet wide can accommodate 16-horse fields.

And then an also-eligible list of up to 20 horses can be maintained, essentially guaranteeing 16-horse fields in many races, unless there is an off track (or a less-than-firm turf course).

Don't larger fields mean more handle?

It might even be possible to pay back to 4th for show bets in fields of 15 or 16 - as is done in the UK.

Do you actually follow horse racing?

dilanesp 04-29-2022 12:20 PM

At Santa Anita, the racing secretary is asking "why can't we have 3 horse fields?".

Cholly 04-29-2022 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bustin Stones (Post 2801277)
When you have more races than horses, trainers wait for a softer field. They know they have 6 bullets a year to fire on a horse. They figure why waste one of those on a tough field if they can fiend a softer one.

There's a structural impediment involved here: 80% of the purse money is tied up in only two finishers. When running 4th doesn't pay shit, who in their right mind is going to enter a 10-horse race?

Onesome 04-29-2022 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cholly (Post 2801380)
There's a structural impediment involved here: 80% of the purse money is tied up in only two finishers. When running 4th doesn't pay shit, who in their right mind is going to enter a 10-horse race?

Everything wrong with American racing summarized right here.

Fred Mertz 04-29-2022 07:28 PM

Churchill Downs gouging
 
I'm going to Churchill tomorrow for opening night. Girlfriend is driving and I'm drinking.


Last year night racing was $10 for general admission. Tomorrow night it is $21 for the cheap seats.


Blankety-blank Churchill.


100+ percent increase. Bleep them.


I'll go though, just wanted to vent.

dilanesp 04-29-2022 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred Mertz (Post 2801464)
I'm going to Churchill tomorrow for opening night. Girlfriend is driving and I'm drinking.


Last year night racing was $10 for general admission. Tomorrow night it is $21 for the cheap seats.


Blankety-blank Churchill.


100+ percent increase. Bleep them.


I'll go though, just wanted to vent.

Live racing at premier venues is going to command a premium in the future, especially with inflation.

Clocker 04-29-2022 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dilanesp (Post 2801479)
Live racing at premier venues is going to command a premium in the future, especially with inflation.

Supply and demand. If the social value of being at, and being seen at, a big opening like Churchill is worth it to you, you will pay the bucks. But that is not about the racing.

If all you care about is the racing on a big day, you can probably get better information and better coverage on the internet. Better to enjoy Churchill and its usual crowd of race track characters on a slow week day card.

Fred Mertz 04-29-2022 09:47 PM

Better to enjoy Churchill and its usual crowd of race track characters on a slow week day card.


I enjoy weekdays with smaller crowds too. Hey, girlfriend wants to go so I'm game.

Thomas Roulston 04-30-2022 06:16 PM

Today's San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields attracted a field of 14 - despite the fact that the turf course at Golden Gate is only 64 feet wide.

Clocker 04-30-2022 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ranchwest (Post 2801306)
It was just a wishful thinking question.

I know. I was just taking a back-handed swing at the "idea" of 16 horse fields. :p

Clocker 04-30-2022 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas Roulston (Post 2801613)
Today's San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields attracted a field of 14 - despite the fact that the turf course at Golden Gate is only 64 feet wide.

Golden Gate has a 14-place gate. Big name races always attract a disproportional number of entries, many of which have no business in the race. Many of whom can adversely affect the running of legitimate contenders.

How often does Golden Gate start that many horses in a race? How much of an impact does that narrow turf course have on various positions in a full field?

The fact that they do something is not a proof that they are doing things optimally.

Al Gobbi 05-03-2022 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cj (Post 2801309)
We get 16 entries, we split it to two 8s!

heck some tracks now spilt a 12 horse field into two 6 horse fields

Thomas Roulston 05-07-2022 02:30 PM

The 1977 Mother Goose had a 16-horse field. The 1983 Coaching Club American Oaks had a 16-horse field. And the 2011 Queen's Plate attracted a field of 17, and a 16-horse field in 2018.

The 1982 Everglades Stakes also had a 16-horse field.

wisconsin 05-07-2022 02:46 PM

The Arlington-Washington Futurity had many large fields, once 22 horses another had 17

Clocker 05-07-2022 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas Roulston (Post 2802928)
The 1977 Mother Goose had a 16-horse field. The 1983 Coaching Club American Oaks had a 16-horse field. And the 2011 Queen's Plate attracted a field of 17, and a 16-horse field in 2018.

The 1982 Everglades Stakes also had a 16-horse field.

Thank you for today's lesson in ancient history. Will there be a test on that material?

The 1982 Everglades Stakes was 40 years ago. Have you any idea of the changes to the industry in 40 years? Have you any idea of the changes in the supply and demand of race horses over the last 40 years?


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