racing distances

[3nutmeg]

Who decides what kind of races/distances are run at the tracks? I've heard many people say they wish there were more longer races. How do we convince the tracks to write more distance races?

Could someone tell me what kinds of distances they want to see on dirt/turf? Are there longer distances for 2yr.old other than 5-6 furlongs? Would they benefit with longer distances?

[Mahubah]

To answer part of your question, the most prestigious fall races for American and Canadian 2-year-olds are mostly carded at a mile or 1-1/16 miles. The longest Graded races in North America for juveniles have been the Remsen Stakes (G2) at 1-1/8 miles and its feminine counterpart, the Demoiselle (G2), both historically run in November, but I don't see those listed on the winter 2014 schedule for Aqueduct, more's the pity. The Coronation Futurity at Woodbine is at the same distance but is restricted to Canadian-breds. The longest top race for juveniles elsewhere in the world that I can think of off the top of my head is the Criterium de Saint-Cloud (Fr-I) over 2000 meters, or about 1-1/4 miles.

[TJ]

Hi Mahubah,
I had to find out about the GR II Remsen and the GR II Demoiselle. You had me worried that they struck them from the stakes list:>) They will both be run November 29th along with the GR III Comely and the GR I Cigar Mile at Aqueduct. Both The Remsen and the Demoiselle remain at the 1 1/8th mile distance as before. TJ