In Racing (or Comedy), Timing Is Everything

After Bill Christine discussed how the lack of national standards created confusion among racegoers several weeks ago, I expected The Times to take the high road. Instead, I’m struck by your policy (of) converting final race times at Santa Anita that only promotes more confusion.

Once bound by tradition, many race tracks now embrace the technology that allows the timing of races in hundredths of seconds. Those attending Santa Anita now see race times with the same precision that has become accepted in virtually every other sport. We are used to seeing human swimming, running and cycling race times in hundredths.

Those who witnessed Eton Lad’s record-breaking Oct. 10 Santa Anita victory would have been surprised to see The Times reported the race completed in 1:44 flat, nearly a fifth of a second (or a length, according to conventional wisdom) faster than the track’s official time of 1:44.19.

Similarly, Santa Anita recognizes Sunday’s world record performance by Kostroma in the time of 1:43.92, not the L.A. Times version of 1:43 4/5.

I suggest the Los Angeles Times do its part to alleviate confusion and start supplying official race times.

WADE TURNER, Western General Manager, The Racing Times. Editor’s Note: The Times receives its race charts from the Daily Racing Form, and under the rules of copyright has to provide the race times in fractions.