I don't think it means that Woof43.
I figure that it makes the track a little like a dead track in gallops, where animals feet sink in deeper and is like running in soft sand.
The faster they run, the deeper their feet sink , and the more energy is expended.

So it don't favour backmarkers, it actually penalizes frnt runners, as lond as they are very fast frnt runners , as distinct from default front runners.