MYTH

Horses that engage in speed duels are likely to weaken one another, setting the stage for another horse to win.

MAXIM

Sometimes speed duels defeat the horses that contest them, but only if the horses run faster-than-par during the first part of the race. More often, one of the speed horses survives the duel and wins the race.

Keep this fact in mind. Speed duels between two horses do not typically result in both horses' losing. The two horses can relax well enough in relation to each other's stride. Rut speed duels involving three or more horses are difficult to overcome. There's too much action, too much combustion, and none of the speed horses can relax. This kind of race is usually won by a horse from slightly behind the early pace.