Bring Back A-1, B-2, C-3 Classifications

[Fuguzzi]

Imagine if PJ was given this power at Saratoga 

Defrank built....

[Hambletonian46]

There were far far less oddds on horses under the old clsssification system then in the NWx$xStarts system. And for the most part it was fair. Of course you had folks trying to milk a connection by running second or third each week; it was always fun when a horse got bumped up without having won a race at the lower classification. And it did give al ot of power to the racing secretaries, which I am sure pissed off the horsemen. But it was a  lot more digestibkle for the less experienced fans than the current systems.

But the current NWx$xStarts is just a joke. It incentivizes horsemen to run out of the money in order to get a lower classification. It also does not account for purse level differences between tracks. And using the Trackmaster ratings...just ridiculous.

Less competitive racing may be good for the horsemen but it does not help the bettors and in the end the health of the industry. I made it out to the Meadowlands and Saratoge Tbreds this summer and as an old guy the thing that surprised me the most in comparison to the days of my mispent youth was the number of completely crap races filled with crap horses. These are two of what should be the premiere meets in the country and the quality of the betting product was not there. The Meadowlands especially, 30 years ago there seemed to be multiple good horses in each race, now it is like trying to decipher who is the least worst.

[Fuguzzi]

There were far far less oddds on horses under the old clsssification system then in the NWx$xStarts system. And for the most part it was fair. Of course you had folks trying to milk a connection by running second or third each week; it was always fun when a horse got bumped up without having won a race at the lower classification. And it did give al ot of power to the racing secretaries, which I am sure pissed off the horsemen. But it was a  lot more digestibkle for the less experienced fans than the current systems.

But the current NWx$xStarts is just a joke. It incentivizes horsemen to run out of the money in order to get a lower classification. It also does not account for purse level differences between tracks. And using the Trackmaster ratings...just ridiculous.

Less competitive racing may be good for the horsemen but it does not help the bettors and in the end the health of the industry. I made it out to the Meadowlands and Saratoge Tbreds this summer and as an old guy the thing that surprised me the most in comparison to the days of my mispent youth was the number of completely crap races filled with crap horses. These are two of what should be the premiere meets in the country and the quality of the betting product was not there. The Meadowlands especially, 30 years ago there seemed to be multiple good horses in each race, now it is like trying to decipher who is the least worst.

[Fuguzzi]

Fantastic post. perfect desription of the current failed system and why the old ABC was far better, for the bettor, especially. Good job, Hambo!

[theokodjak26]

I agree with Fug. Hambo wrote a great position paper.

[Fuguzzi]

 

I agree with Fug. Hambo wrote a great position paper.

to my friend, Kodjak