5k Claimers in NY
 

Here is the results of the $5,000 claiming race today at Aqueduct. http://www.drf.com/drfPDFChartRacesI...AQU0228050.pdf

Is the field which is carded to run in race 9 on March 1st better or worse than the 5 granders? Will we see highlights of the March 1st 9th race in the "Get with the program" commercials?

I haven't looked at the other race, but I will. I have heard a great deal of comments about $5k claimers being the lowest ever carded, and how NY racing has hit rock bottom, etc. However, an interesting side note to this race -- 50% of the field was claimed! There were 4 horses in this race claimed.

Eric

The NY bred 15 maiden claimer is the lowest of the low in NY. During the course of the past two years the quality of horses in NY has declined significantly. You'll see at least a few NY bred maiden claiming races a week at NYRA tracks.

So tell us how the quality has declined. Can you give us some details on your assertion ?

I am not looking to start the age-old debate here, however, personally, I am OK with state-bred maiden claimers -- as an owner and as a bettor. And, as of right now, I don't own any NY breds, so I have no dog in that common fight. I like the NY program -- and the "it's a BS program that costs taxpayers money because they are funding the entire thing" and that sort of commentary is truly not reflective of the global benefits of the program. I think you will find more states moving to state-bred programs with these attributes. NJ is one of them. Sure, plenty of people will say after they are done with their conditions they are cheap claimers, they can't compete, etc. Yeah, I get that. I don't think that's relevant when you are looking at a community of horses -- NY breds, and all of the others -- that you look to when looking to fill races. Those that can't compete will end up somewhere else -- Finger Lakes is a great alternative as they have a series of races for NY breds. To me, it's a great out. I put up my money and I am looking for value, options, etc. -- and an out is always something you want and need.

Also, if the racing is competitive I think there is a benefit. That's the product that people should be looking for. I also think the program attracts new owners although certainly not enough, not nearly enough.

Eric

A few years back in 2003 there were around 400 NY Bred Restricted races run at NYRA tracks. In 2006 they ran over 800 races a day. Week after week the average was three NY bred races a day per card. While there are some decent NY breds, there are a lot more that are slow runners. This alone lowered the quality of the product.

Do you think the quality of racing in NY has improved in NY since 2003?

While I'm hardly a slave to Beyers or any other figs, a simple survey of the average winning BSF over the last few years would tell the tale. I have no idea what the winning BSF was in the $5k race yesterday but I'd wager that it was 15 points HIGHER than the average NYB MDCL race or the avaerage open $15k2L race this winter. It's the bad NYB's and the conditioned claimers that stink, not the bottom claimers. On some other thread someone mentioned Lethal Weapon (I think) running 6f faster than magnolia Jackson while in for a $7.5k tag. Cheap claimers are pretty fast, conditioned claimers are slow.

Slow breeds coming home in 115, or worse, getting great Purse money is a steal on our expense. No wonder NYRA is loosing there shirt. The money wagon continues. Next they will write a race for horses that fall down and get up to finish. NY program needs a kick in the pants, not a roll out the cash for horse's that can't run at a Fair.

I am glad I was here to see real runners, the poor people behind me will never know.