First of all, let's make it clear that the classes at the two tracks would be different. A FFA horse at Freehold may be only a B-1 at the Meadowlands, but most handicappers are educated enough to realize the classification at each track is unique; you can't say there is an equivalency in quality.
Here is a perfect example of why classified racing would be appropriate for Freehold. Freehold raced on President's Day and here are some conditions used:
- Race 2 - Non-Winners $1,500 last 5 starts (Non-Winners last 3 allowed $500); Winners Over $20,000 in 2012-13 ineligible AE:N/W 3 Ext. P-M races life.
- Race 3 - Non-Winners $1,500 last 5 starts (Non-Winners last 3 allowed $500); Winners over $20,000 in 2012-13 ineligible AE:Non-Winners 3 Extended Pari-Mutuel races life Opt. Claim $5,000 - (NJSO Preferred)
- Race 5 - The same conditions as Race 3 except an Optional Claim at a $6,000 tag.
- Race 6 - Non-Winners $3,500 in last 5 starts (Non-Winners last 3 allowed $500); Winners over $30,000 in 2012-13 ineligible AE:Non-Winners 5 Extended Pari-Mutuel races life
- Race 7 - Non-Winners $4,500 in last 5 starts (Non-Winners last 3 allowed $1,000) AE:Non-Winners 6 Extended Pari-Mutuel races life. Opt. Claim $15,000
- Race 9 - Non-Winners $2,500 last 5 starts (Non-Winners last 3 allowed $700); Winners over $25,000 in 2012-13 ineligible AE:Non-Winners 4 Extended Pari-Mutuel races life.
- Race 11 - Fillies & Mares - Non-Winners $1,500 in last 5 starts (Non-Winners last 3 allowed $500); Winners over $20,000 in 2012-13 ineligible. AE:Non-Winners 3 Extended Pari-Mutuel races life Opt. Claim $6,000
Wouldn't it be easier if Race Secretary Karen Fagliarone classified these horses into classes instead of having to write races like this? As with the Meadowlands, classifying horses may ensure competitive races, perhaps even making the outside posts more competitive. This is not to say Freehold racing stock would not require the use of C-3, B-3, and A-3 where as the Meadowlands avoid using the 3's.
Handle at Freehold has been hurting the past few years. Isn't it worth trying classified racing and see if an increase in handle can be achieved?
2 comments:
Pacingguy:
The two, three, four and even five conditions that allow a horse to enter a race is a sore spot with me as well. Some tracks also change the conditions weekly for the same class. NW$4500 one week, NW$5100 the next that allows money earners to return for the same purse rather than jump to a higher class.
I understand a racing secretary is making a race for a horse that otherwise wouldn't get in that week, or doing what it takes to fill a race. The problem is what that does to the betting. The more conditions set for the race, the more likely to find a horse that stands far above the rest and going off 1/9 or 1/5. I just stay out of those races.
Either offer enough single conditions so the racing stock fits something or bring on the classified racing.
More than half of Freehold's races are NW1, NW2, etc., and claimers. The rest of the cheapies get lumped into the handful of classes you listed, with many needing the "optional claimers" just to fill the fields. Freehold suffers from a lack of horses, not a poor condition sheet. The same 250-300 horses race every week, and usually in the same class. Incidentally, the reason the Meadowlands races seem "competitive" has nothing to do with "ABC" racing -- it's because every field is a hodgepodge of horses, from different tracks, often off bad dates, and with many just using the races as tighteners before they go someplace else. I don't think you'll be as impressed as April rolls around, but we shall see.
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