I think there's a reason that super trainers shoot 25% or 30% at one track, but shoot 15% at another. I also think that at a certain point, in the claiming game, the intimidation factor comes into play. When you have 4 to 8 in a class, and you can race 20k horses for 10k you are going to win a lot of races and you don't have to throw everything at them like Servis and Navarro did.
Monopolies in Harness racing-especially when there are many claiming races---is one reason why Harness Racing is dying.
Burke Emblom Alexander-are not good for racing--but they are very good for themselves.
The advantages these trainers have--is the numbers of horses they have --ruling and dictating race secretaries/drivers.
Race secretaries fall over themselves appeasing them especially Burke-who has like 300 horses--or many times the number the average horsemen has. So esp Burke "get looked after" . If Burke for eg -gets a positive---he will spend as much as it takes to beat or reduce the penalty-because getting days can cost him many $$$. So-it ends up-Burke getting off completely-or reduced penalty. Unlike the average trainer. Burke also gets the best drivers available-who invariably "try harder" when on a Burke horse---using favors from opposing drivers--while when on low % trainers-they earn favors by giving up holes--or not leaving against a Burke horse when they should. In fact--how many times do you see a Burke horse get parked??? Its a rarity. The Burke account a driver has--is very valuable to them--so if an opposing driver hurts their chances--repercussions follow--and drivers know this.
Only graded races-or High $$$ races--are "real" races these days. Races where its every man for himself--as you see in the LBJ for example. So claiming from these guys--is tough- as you immediately piss a driver off,thats never good--and the race secretaries-dont like it either. Race secretaries are under the illusion that Burke and Co--increase the handle as their horses are usually shorter odds-which they think is where the money is made.. That used to be the case--but today--not so much. Evenly matched races with many betting options--attract bettors-thats why Meadowlands has the handle they have.JMO
