Why Not 16-Horse Fields?

[elhelmete]

Originally Posted by Thomas Roulston

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]

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

[Cholly]

Originally Posted by Bustin Stones

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]

Originally Posted by Cholly

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]

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]

Originally Posted by Fred Mertz

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]

Originally Posted by dilanesp

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]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by ranchwest

It was just a wishful thinking question.

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

[Clocker]

Originally Posted by Thomas Roulston

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]

Originally Posted by cj

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]

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]

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

[Clocker]

Originally Posted by Thomas Roulston

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?