Racing at different distances

[LVGaryD]

Today I also jogged the half-mile dash (on a half-mile track) world champion. We were talking at the barn about racing different distances, other than a mile. I love half-mile, 9/16, 3/4 mile, and even races that are over a mile long.

I think it would spark interest in the sport. Of course I believe all starters in at least the short dashes should start on the gate. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

[CyberChamp]

I have no problem taking the public's money at a mile.  Why mess with a good thing?   

[LVGaryD]

I think it might help get/keep the public interested. 

[badolpuddytat]

Only at the cheap track Boss!! I remember the 3/4 mile dashes 9/16 at Nfld and the 1/2 mile dashes. I remember Keith Sr or Vikki putting up Jack Betts on a horse in a 1/2 mile dash. Only because that horse needed umm encouragement  Jack delivered. Betts was hillarious. Remember him parking out JC in a overnight race. JC was bet down to 2/5! Remember coming back to NFLD park after a fair race. Sr. put in So There in a straight Invite. Came back to NFLD and she got hurt real bad. BUT JACK SAID HE THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO WIN!!! (but Jack ALWAYS thought he was going to win)

[Just Saying]

I think it might help get/keep the public interested. 

Bring the whole field in front of the grandstand on lead-shanks and make the drivers harness and hitch them before they can take off from a dead stop. Wouldn't be many horses wearing extra equipment like boots, headpoles, hopples, etc.

Now that's fan interest!

[badolpuddytat]

Today I also jogged the half-mile dash (on a half-mile track) world champion. We were talking at the barn about racing different distances, other than a mile. I love half-mile, 9/16, 3/4 mile, and even races that are over a mile long.

I think it would spark interest in the sport. Of course I believe all starters in at least the short dashes should start on the gate. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

i also forgot about the new bikes. my friend Ronnie and I were talking about how you don't see sweeping moves anymore. Ronnie told me the new bikes are bigger, so you are farther back than the old days. PLUS with the give and take racing now, you don't have the old fashioned parked the whole race anymore. Actually the 3/4's and 1/2 and 9/16's might be boring anyway.

[careless hal]

Loved the 5/8 mile dashes at old Washington Park.  Was some effort a few years ago to bring them back, but I guess they didn't go over well.  I'd like to see 1750 yard dashes on half mile bull rings.  Start at the top of the stretch and one time around to the finish line.  Watching half  mile track  racing is like watching paint dry.  That might make for more excitement.

[beans and weenies]

Bring the whole field in front of the grandstand on lead-shanks and make the drivers harness and hitch them before they can take off from a dead stop. Wouldn't be many horses wearing extra equipment like boots, headpoles, hopples, etc.

Now that's fan interest!

That would be a hard one to bet on

[The Giss]

Isn't it Grand River in Ontario that does Extreme Night with all kinds of crazy distance and wrong way races? Their biggest crowd of the year.
In the good old days at Nfld, all the cheap horses raced 3/4 and then 13/16 or 1/2 and then later 9/16, unless it was the Big Triple (trifecta) race. Fewer breakdowns, better racing, imo. My first win as an owner trainer was at 3/4.

[caveman]

I think the cheap horses should go the short miles..........after all.....it is a race.