I don\'t beleive that horses are getting that much faster, it would take many years(instead of the last 5 yr) to really improve the breed.
I do think that tracks today are much harder than in the past, thus, horses running faster.
Also, shoeing plays a big role in that horses are able to give max. effort that their bodies are not able to withstand over time and thus they break down. Look at the #\'s for the BC turf races, year after year need about the same # to win. This is because you can\'t manipulate a turf course as much as you can with a dirt course. Any thoughts.
OPM, I beleive you are dead on. In fact,
I\'ve had this discussion on this board
around last years Derby. Show me any 3yo
in this era that could run with Alydar, Affirmed, Seattle Slew, Spectacular Bid.....
It just wouldn\'t happen.
Nunzio
It has nothing to do with tracks, and not much to do with \"improving the breed\", anymore than it does with human athletes who are bigger and stronger.
Jesse Owens wouldn\'t have made this year\'s Olympic team. Unless, of course, he had today\'s nutrition, training programs, and sports medicine. Then, who knows how fast he would run.
I don\'t understand, if they are getting such great nutrition, why can\'t they stay around for more than a couple of months? Point Given was good for 4 months last year, Monarchos was good for 3 months, Millenium Wind ran one good race,
AP Valentine never really improved that much. Invisible Ink ran 2 races then has not won since, and the list goes on. If they are getting such great nutrition, medicine etc, then they should withstand their improve performances, and they are not doing it. I hope this year is different but it doesn\'t seem to be with Siphonic, Officer, Repent gone already and bad lines on HH, Came Home. I am awaiting your read on these horses in the Seminar.