Blanchard On Changing Race Distances And Field Sizes

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Published: November 24, 2010 10:13 am EST

"I think certainly the people that were here on-track the days we had them and the people that were watching in really enjoyed what they saw...overall, they were well received."

On today's Trot Radio, Western Fair Raceway's Assistant Racing Manager and Announcer Greg Blanchard debates the merits of changing field sizes and distances with Norm Borg. Blanchard and Western Fair hosted legs of the recently-concluded Xtreme Racing Series. Blanchard quickly points out the argument presented by racing purists with respect to harness racing and the one-mile distance.

"My response to that is that they race standardbreds in Europe at different distances and they seem to be able to do it. I understand what people are saying, it's been a bit of a dilemma over the years. I've watched added distance races and I've had sort of mixed views on them, but at the end of the day when you compare the two breeds - standardbred and thoroughbred - the added dynamics you have in handicapping thoroughbreds are one of strengths they have over us with the different distances, different surfaces etc."

Blanchard goes on to further illustrate the need to present these distances with regularity.

"I think if you're going to have different distance races you have to have some consistency to them, I think you have to do them over a period of time where you have some form to go on these horses and then you can start to really handicap them seriously if you're going to do this long-term and proceed with them down the road."

The full discussion is available below.

Episode 163 – Greg Blanchard

Audio Format: MP3 audio

Host: Norm Borg

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