True, they are backfitted but since we do not have access to any "future" data, we have to make do with back fitting.

I have no problem at all with looking at past performance to predict future outcomes, I do it all the time but I draw the line at torturing data to submit and yield preconceived results.

to wit, if one slavishly follows the line of say "last start winner" regardless of the last race class and other parameters pertaining to that race, then that is "backfitting" and most of the time it will fail.