Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom
When you pay $20,000 for nickle claimers, what deterrent is there to not run broken down sore horses for the big purse? Why would you care if your horse got claimed? You win a lot more than it's worth.
Aqu was having a lot of break downs that led to this rule.
At Aqu, would you rather play a field of 10 8K clainers ir a field of 5 25K claimers?
Probably not more than a beyer point or two difference anyways.
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But which races get the biggest fields - and therefore, make the most money for the Association?
When I was 12 years old (in 1971), NYRA had $3,500 claimers and $5,000 maiden claimers - and most of them had 14-horse fields, particularly at Saratoga, where Halo broke his maiden in I believe it was a $20K MCL.
And isn't it the track veterinarian's job not to allow a "broken down, sore horse" to run? And can't a trainer be fined for attempting to run such a horse and causing a late scratch?