Physicality Handicapping

[ernie simons]

Does anybody on the forum depend on physicality handicapping *more* than using the figs and data?
Can you spot a potential winner by his appearance and pre-race actions, such as prancing, tail position & movement, overall physical appearance, etc?

[alysheba88]

Thats something I want to become good at. Pretty clueless now.

I go to live racing most of the time and usually can get a good view of the horses. I will make notes in my program but havent gotten to the point where I will make a bet because one horse looks better than another. I sometimes will avoid a horse who looks bad. You really need to know how a horse looks all the time. To see how he looks today compared to last time he ran.

Anyway, I think this is one area I need to focus on a lot more since most people are just buried in their numbers and charts and forget the flesh and blood animal.

[Buddha]

I have had a few winners by checking out the paddock and the horses in it before the race. I don't really look for anything special. If I see something about a horse that catches my eye, I may bet it or at least give it another chance. And most of those types of horses arent your favorite. You can get some nice prices that way.

[JimL]

Hope So Cal, responds to this post. I think this is one area that is under played. JimL

[Valuist]

I usually use it as a a supplement but occasionally I'll head over to the OTB at lunch. No handicapping or past performances then, just make some small wagers going 100% by physicality handicapping. I think its one area where a sharp player can have an edge, since 99% of the public has access to some kind of speed figures, or is using software.

[headhawg]

I am also very weak in this area so I don't use it. However, it does seem that it is not only an undervalued handicapping factor, but something that if used properly would definitely put us on "live" contenders and off false favorites.

What do people think of Joe Takach's "Beat the Beam" video. Is it worth it? I don't usually play at the track, but the local OTB or online. Any thoughts about handling not being at the track? Can physicality handicapping be done this way, or is the video just a moneymaker?

HH

[Valuist]

Definitely get Beat the Beam. It is well worth the price. When I first got it, I watched it over and over. Maybe 7 or 8 times. But when I got to the track, I was hesitant to make wagers based on physicality. And I missed out on some nice priced winners. I think speed figures, in conjunction with appearance capping, is the way to go.

[so.cal.fan]

I am have a very strong opinion here.
I am convinced that this is a factor responsible for 50% of the puzzle.
The condition of a horse a few minuets before it competes in a race is of the utmost importance.
The few people I know who are experts at judging the condition of a horse before a race all have an advantage I can only compare to insider trading on the stock market. FACT.

[ernie simons]

Not just the condition of the horse, but the way the horse carries himself I think. Some horses prance from barn to paddock to post. They just LOOK ready. I understand some people spend the entire day at the track looking for just that horse.

[delayjf]

I subcribed to Takach's news letter for a while and I can say that when Joe said a horse looked bad after a race, it almost always ran back poorly. The only reason I don't subscribe now is I'm not playing full time now.

Most of the stuff is rather easy to learn, walking short, energy level, Kidney sweat, etc. Swollen knees/ankles can be difficult to spot. I'd say you can learn about 90% of what you need to know in one season at the paddock. Conformation, to me, takes time. I still have trouble picking up what lead a horse is on coming down the stretch, slow mo replay really helps.

I found physically handicapping most valuable in the following situations:

Evaluating winners after a race.
Did they come back from the race exhausted, Blowing hard, head down or still on his toes, head up. You still have to handicap. IE I'd expect a lay off horse who needed the race to be blowing hard after a race and would expect him to improve next time. But if a horse in form comes back that way after a tough race and he looked good after previous races, then I'd expect a decline.

Changes from previous races
knowing what a horse looked like when he performed well before, can give you a good idea what he'll do today. This may require you to dig back to your notes 5 races ago, but if you see improvement that approximates what he looked like in previous good starts AND what you see is an improvement over his last race, I'd expect him to run his race.

Combined with speed figure, pace handicapping etc and you can really improve your game.

[PARFOUR]

We are given two eyes to see what is in front of us, no ? Why more people donot watch the paddock and post parades is jusst beyond me. I use my powers of observation to guide me in my choices. Granted, I do my homework the day before with the DRF, I try to keep up to date with charts to keep current on the tracks I bet etc. BUT - the inspection method of handicapping will add to your ROI when you spend some time at it. the Takach video and the Bonnie Ledbetter videos are good, but get out to the paddock and watch as well as when the horses are brought over from the barn, and during the warmup before the race. At a teletheater/ otb watch the santa anita paddock and post p. on TV they do it well. They show the horses for a longer time in the paddock than the brief PP shot.

I can give you one recent example, from opeining weekend at Gulfstream. I saw this magnificent filly in the paddock, alert, with controlled energy. She looked great in the post parade as well. She won by 10 in 1:09 and change. She ran last weekend at Gulfstream in a stakes and won agian in 1:08 and change. Her name , Madcap Escapade . Shes as nice a filly as you will ever see and i cant wait to see her stretch out. Just watch the horses and jot down the numbers and see how you do, in time they will pop out at you in a shorter time.

[Aussieplayer]

The author of the book I mentioned somewhere in the Handicapping Library claimed that one could make a (modest) ROI simply by eliminating favs with poor physicality & betting the rest.

Not to mention the high win strike rate % that such a strategy would enable.

Cheers
AP

[Jeff P]

AP-

Conversely, one can have success betting on favorites by passing them when they show negative signs and playing them when they show positive signs.

[John]

Does anyone have " Beat the beam" that they would like to sell or trade. For me to buy the video tape is to expensive. I would really like to view it.

John

[pasco]

My biggest complaint with TVG is that they talk to much and show the TVG stage instead of the horses in the paddock or on track warming up.I e-mail them but they don't care.Most of those guys can't pick a winner anyway and Corey Black is a joke..

[jotb]

Hello all:



This is a subject that a full length book could be written about. A book more pointed in its practical advice about what to do with the information already mentioned in this post.

A couple of good books have been written. “The Body Language of Horses” by Bonnie Ledbetter. While a good starting point, I thought Trillis Parker’s “Horses Talk: It pays to Listen,” was much superior. It was published in 1989 by Liberty Publishing. My favourable opinion is based on the many drawings and other graphics that help illustrate her many tips. At the back she includes her “shorthand” codes for the different factors she observes about each horse. These are letters like NS---meaning nice shine, etc. These are very worthwhile keeping for each horse you observe during the paddock, parade and warm-ups.


Horses washing out in the paddock is a bad sign? Yes. Except when it isn’t a bad sign. The latter can occur during extremely humid days, during the summer. Or a field of first time starts, all nervous and hyper. A horse with first time lasix will almost always wash a “little.” What’s a little? It all depends. On what? Lots of things. Which things? It depends. And we’re back where we started. However, certain horses ALWAYS wash, and always run well. It pays to keep records.

A horse with "alert eyes". I only require that he be attentive to his surroundings and exhibit curiosity. The main eyes you don’t want are“WILD” eyes, showing a lot of white, especially if they are rolling in his head as he frantically looks left and right for a safe escape route.

When a horse can’t step over his left/right front hoofprint with his left/right rear hoof it MAY be a sign of stiffness. However he may warm up out of it. You have to know your horses and your trainers.

I watch when the jockey first mounts but I’m much more interested in what happens after the horses have paraded in front of the grandstand, and then turn and BEGIN to trot, canter or jog to the backstretch. I like a horse that wheels and reaches out far with both front feet and immediately wants to get into hi gear. Especially if he has a big arch in his neck and his chin on his chest as he grabs the bit in his teeth and says, “Let’s Go!”

You might want to look for positive and negative appearances. There are several positive factors to look for such as Walking correctly, pricked ears, tail off body, ample muscling, good color, dappling and arched neck. As far as negative appearance factors, I would say shortstepping, unfavorable ear position, poor tail position, light muscling, poor color, excessive sweating (not necessarily the kidney sweat or lather on the neck) but more when a horse is washed out (dripping from the belly).

There are also positive and negative factors in regard to a horses attitude. You like to see a horse dancing in the post parade or false starts ( looking to run off). It good to see the head of the horse over the lead pony or if the horses neck is erect. Another positive sign is a willingness to warm up. Of course there is a flip sign to a horses attitude and some of the negatives are as follows: Flat footed walking, no energy, labored walk, dropped head and no-warm up.

I hope this helps somewhat and there is plenty more factors to consider but this is a good starting point but keep in mind sometimes horses look the part but run much differently so it might be best to handicap your race and if you are left with several contenders a closer look in the paddock and post parade might help you to eliminate one or two of those contenders.

Best regards,
Joe

[socalsportsbook]

On the subject of physicality handicapping you have to read Joe Takach. He knows the subject better than anyone I know.

On the home page of this Bulltin Board is a great example of Joe's work. Check it out.

Joe's opinions (on this subject) are first-hand. He spends almost every racing day in the paddock of Santa Anita, Hollywood Park or Del Mar. His daily report contains his comments from the days work. You can access this work at Joe-Takach.com. You can get a free report for any day you want.

To read the entire Physicality Handicapping series just go to the web site ans click on Mine-Course. The video (Beat the Beam is a must.

SoCal's comment that physicality is 50% of the battle is right on and I'm afraid many of us ignore "the horse".

This is an unabashed commercial for Joe. I help with his web site and some other duties but I'm not schilling because what I'm telling you is fact.

[BetHorses!]

I was curious about pawing. A friend of mine says go straight to the window if you see a horse do this in the paddock. Anybody an expert on this?

[John]

BETTHEHORSES


ASK MR. Takach ....HE WILL TELL YOU... THE TRUE MEANING...

[Niko]

so what kind of "supplement" has a horse pawing? I'm only guessing becuase of how you worded the last post.
I'm really curious!

[fmhealth]

Hi,

While I'm new to PA, I'm NOT new to 'capping. Been at this game for 45 years, since I was 13. I can say that w/o a doubt PHYSICALITY is the KEY to winning !!!I had my best year EVER in '03. No DRF, No program , NOTHING BUT PADDOCK ' CAPPING !!!

Last week at GP was a perfect example. Bet 41 races, had 10 winners and had a positive ROI of 23%. Horses really do "talk" in the paddock. You simply have to understand what they're saying. If I can be of any assistance in this area, please feel free to fire away.

[GameTheory]

I understand if you can tell that horse is ready and eager to run today. But how can you tell if he's fast enough to beat the others, even on a good day? Or do you just have to assume that if he's entered in the race, he's probably good enough to win on his best day?

[Pace Cap'n]

Welcome to the board. I recall reading your posts at that other site some time back and you seemed to be a knowledgeable capper.

My question is, what would be the top two or three things someone who is a novice in physicality would look for in the paddock?

And. what can be gleaned from the limited viewing opportunities on the simulcasts?

[John]

Game Theory

Good Question GT.Don't think you will get answer. If you do it will be: so how can you tell if a horse looks fit and eager by looking at the Past performances ? LOL

[fmhealth]

Let me try to answer the last two posts. First of all, if a horse is in a particular race. I'll just go with the assumption that he's in the right class. I know is is foolish in some cases, but overall it seems to work.

Secondly, some of the "must-haves" are. Overall positive demeaner, good energy level, no sweat whatsoever, tail MUST be off the rump by at least 3-4 inches, must NOT walk short. Neck MUST be elevated. The "good to haves" are neck arched, like a coiled spring, a visable & palpable bounce in their step and an overall commanding presence.

I can't tell you how many 6-5 favorites simply became AUTOMATIC throwouts after seeing them in the paddock. Also, how many 10-1 that off the Form I would NEVER consider. Now become PRIME bets for me. Let me give you a little more background about myself. As I mentioned earlier, I've been at this game FOR A LONG TIME. I'm not proud to report, but it's true nevertheless. I've NEVER had a winning year. Down about $250,000 over the past 45 years. BUT, using PHYSICALITY, last year I lost $955.00. That's after attending tracks around the country for about 175 days. That works out to about a $5.00/loss/trip. I'm getting closer to that elusive "winning year". All have have to do is live long enough.

In summary, you need an edge in this game. On weekdays there are maybe 30 'cappers around the paddock at AP. Many now ask me about the "readiness" of an entry. I don't buy the Form or even look at a program. I get about 23-28% winners. Give it some consideration. It just might be the "missing link" in your 'capping puzzel !!!

[kenwoodallpromos]

I'm a nice guy so i will not take advantage of the opening you gave for smart aleck talk! I assumme all you know about the race is the sex, but I am interested in positive or negative signs specifically in relation to older horses, like if old ones act too fractious.

[Boris]

Originally posted by GameTheory
I understand if you can tell that horse is ready and eager to run today. But how can you tell if he's fast enough to beat the others, even on a good day? Or do you just have to assume that if he's entered in the race, he's probably good enough to win on his best day?


GT, the odds board will give you an idea. At 22-1, chances are the PP's are gonna say he's too slow. And physicality will not increase your winning percentage if you are prone to bet every or many races. Nor, imo, is it very effective when combined with handicapping using today's PP's if you are not familiar with the horses. There are usually more than one ready horse in most races, and I am not very good at that final cut. So I wait for opportunities where there is one or two only, and try and pass the rest. I say "try" cause I take some stabs at prices. It's really not that different from other forms of handicapping, but uses different factors. I think it's success is due to it's true difficulty to practice (most people don't like to run all over the track between every race - you gotta watch them from the time they walk in to the the end of the warm ups), and the average winning price I would think is higher. (for me anyway) Best advice I could give anyone would be to ignore it completely, or find someone that practices it and have them train you.

[fmhealth]

Hi,

Just a couple of additional thoughts. Basically the same parameters apply to PHYSICALITY, no matter what the age is. If a horse is fractious or simply "over anxious", he's out.

Also, I neglected a another very important point. In some races 5 horses will qualify, thus it's a pass race for me. Other races, nobody qualifies, another race to pass. Since I lose on the avg. of 75% of my bets. The more races I pass on, the less losers I have. This has helped my ROI tremendously !!!


Hope this helps.

[Derek2U]

if a guy developed a system from a DB & stats & it works then
do you think "physicality" would help? chances are NO because
once again a system has got 2 b a closed thing. The more you
tamper with it, the worse it becomes. imo, fractious stuff bandages all even out --- whats more interesting i think is if
your at the track focus ur binoculars on the paddock & see how
the owners behave. U can get a lot from that i think.

[so.cal.fan]

Boris is right, unless you have the time and energy to devote to physicallity handicapping, it won't help you much.
That said, those that do, have a huge edge, I will stand by my comment that it is half the battle, perhaps one with a superior computer program can drop that number to 25% or 30%, but no lower, imo.
If a handicapper is really interested in learning, like Boris said, find someone who is good at it and train under them, devote a couple of seasons at your home track to sharpening your skills.
I would say that trying to learn to watch them on TV is not going to help all that much, UNLESS you have put your time in at the track and know what to look for.
I have to say that you need to devote several months at the very least in learning this skill, you are not born with the ability, you have to work and develop it.
Most people do not have the time nor the will to do it, so you will always have an edge if you are one of the few that do.
CLASS+CONDITION have always been the most important factors and they always will be.

Just read Derek's post.......nuance handicapping is part of the being there, observing. My husband is in the paddock everyday at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park, he observes the early morning schoolers, when certain trainers come over with their horse and are obviously very interested in it, it is very helpful to make note of this, there are dozens of other angles, that the off track player never takes into account. Joe Takach has several articles on this in our own PA reading room, for anyone interested.

[fmhealth]

Hi Derek,

You bring up a couple of good points. First of all with owners or trainers for that matter. If they tell me they like their horse, it's a AUTOMATIC throwout. TIPS spelled backwards is what they're worth. They simply are GUESSING !!!

I've done much better, albeit still losing by disregarding almost everything I've embraced for 45 years. You know the definition of insanity, "you do the same thing over & over yet expect a different result". That's what I & indeed most 'cappers do everytime they head for the track.

Last year , after a couple of thousand races spent in paddocks around the country, I made the momentous decision. I think I can tell a "ready horse" w/o the aid of any PPs whatsoever. Put it to the test in '03. Was actually up about $3,000 heading into the Del Mar meet. I usually have the best meet of the year at this track. My wife & I spend 3-4 weeks enjoying S.Cal. This year, O MY, I GOT KILLED !! For whatever reason virtually all of my ready horses were running 2/3.

In any event, back to AP where I was hitting at a good clip in the early fall. Something like 30% winners. Then Haw, hit another brick wall and finaly ended the year in my all to familiar position. IN THE RED !!!

My thoughts, as I refine by PHYSICALITY skills. I truly believe I'll finally reach the "promised land" of becoming a winning 'capper.

Best of luck !

[Steve 'StatMan']

If all goes well, I should be at the track on a daily basis starting with HAW. Once there, I want to test out an idea I had about physicality. I won't claim to be great at this, but I understand quite a few of the things to look for. Since there is a lot one could make notes on, but more importantly, retrieve and compare next time, I thought I'd try something simple at first. I want to make an albeit very subjective Physicality Rating, a number from 1 to 99, like a speed figure. 1 would be like "why isn't he dead yet?", 99 is "Secretariat on steroids and coke". Most would likely be in near the middle. I'd probably watch the post parades and give them all a quick rating based on what I see there and in the warmups. Since I retrieve a lot of info already (McMannis Speed Figures, Trip Notes, trainer profiles), I'd also have these available, and would know of any big general changes - which is far more than I know right now. Hopefully I'll learn more about physicality as I do it, prove out how it relates to the form cycle and improvements etc. I want to keep it really simple, and adjust it as I learn more. I'm not too worried yet on how much more emphasis I should put on the tail vs the ears or the warmup, etc for right now. Anything that puts me in the ballpark should help. If there is a 20-30 point shift in my impression, it is likely something is better about the horse. And that's something I really should want to know about, that I haven't known up til now.

[kenwoodallpromos]

I had 6 of 7 winners at DM opening day- I have no idea if they even had 4 legs! After the 1st week I quit with a +. / I would like to tell if the horse is overworked. PP does not always give that away!

[ranchwest]

Originally posted by Derek2U
if a guy developed a system from a DB & stats & it works then
do you think "physicality" would help? chances are NO because
once again a system has got 2 b a closed thing. The more you
tamper with it, the worse it becomes. imo, fractious stuff bandages all even out --- whats more interesting i think is if
your at the track focus ur binoculars on the paddock & see how
the owners behave. U can get a lot from that i think.

IMHO, you can't let the computer prejudice your view of physicality. It is the rare person who can assimilate diverse facts and not over-emphasize a particular component. That's the biggest reason many physicality handicappers just chunk the PP's in the trash can.

[Steve 'StatMan']

I'm hoping I can mix them both so that if I know a horse is capable of a 78 speed figure when he's feeling good, and a 63 when he's feeling bad, that if I look at him today, I'll have a better idea what he'll do, despite what all my stats tell me. Basically, I hope physicality can tell me when my stats are deceiving me, and when they back up my stats and figures.

Some may look great today, but if they always look great and still are too slow, I need to know that. If I can roughly keep track of how most of them looked the other times, I can't help but learn something.

[Aussieplayer]

The fellow (author/scientist) I mentioned reckons that the real strength in physicality handicapping really lies in elimination, and not selection.

Cheers
AP

[SandyE]

No he's not. It's just that he's not riding out and the person in the irons has control of the horse. So the outcome of a race even if a horse looks the part can be determined by how the race unfolds from the break to wire. If the rider has a strong hold on a horse early on that horse is going to be exhuasted after the race because of that alone. But if you have the right combination going and horse and rider happen to click you don't change that combination. The rider has to remember no two races unfold the same way. Too many things can and do happen in a horse race so even the most seasoned horse export can't always predict the outcome of a race. remember the longer the race the more stratagies are required. What sprints are to Thoroughbreds are routes to the Quarterhorse.
Aussieplayer remember the hidden class that's the horse that pops at the right time and surpises a lot of people who thought the horse had no chance at winning a given race.This year instead of waiting until after March 1rst to decide who I thought had/has the best chance of making it to the TC races I made a rash decision and picked horses who will probably never get near Churchill Downs the first Saturday in May. I'll probably end up with no points but I'm not a handicapper first and a horseperson second, it's actually the other way around.

[cato]

fmhealth--I wonder if the problem at DMR was that there were too many fit horses? I think at a lower end or mid level track its easier to find a standout on "physicality" but at GP, DMR, BEL,SAR, is it harder--or at least less profitable --because your are going tohave a higher % of talented horses in the field--most of which will look great and some of which can overcome a bad day with their talent?

Just a thought

Cato

[fmhealth]

Cato, interesting point. Overall I believe that you could be playing Beulah or Saratoga, the same "truisms" apply.

Today had another frustrating day. 19-1 wins at Tampa, looked great in the paddock. Box him with 3 other "ready horses". Run 1,3,4,5. Same occurance at Aqu, just get nipped by the Fav. for place. L/S wins by 6-7 lenghts, another L/S just misses getting second. Not my day.

Still convinced that "physicality" is the way to go. Threwout NUMEROUS "false favorites" Some ran well, most were up the track. I'll keep you posted.

[sammy the sage]

bump

[Valuist]

Now with the intense heat is a good time for physicality handicapping. Instead of races where 2/3rds of the horses look good, in this kind of heat most of them will look lousy or mediocre at best. A solid horse on appearance really stands out now in the brutal heat.

[BIG49010]

I'm hoping I can mix them both so that if I know a horse is capable of a 78 speed figure when he's feeling good, and a 63 when he's feeling bad, that if I look at him today, I'll have a better idea what he'll do, despite what all my stats tell me. Basically, I hope physicality can tell me when my stats are deceiving me, and when they back up my stats and figures.

Some may look great today, but if they always look great and still are too slow, I need to know that. If I can roughly keep track of how most of them looked the other times, I can't help but learn something.

Well 7 years later how did this work out?

[Stillriledup]

bump

lol if i bumped an old thread like this, i'd hear it for weeks. You, otoh, get away scot free. Its good to be you! :D

Personally, i think visual warmup handicapping is something i wouldnt do without. If i dont see the horses on the track, i won't play. I need to see how they're hitting the ground, their coats, their disposition and how the jock is warming them up.

Physicality handicapping is extremely important to me.

[Bruddah]

Boris is right, unless you have the time and energy to devote to physicallity handicapping, it won't help you much.
That said, those that do, have a huge edge, I will stand by my comment that it is half the battle, perhaps one with a superior computer program can drop that number to 25% or 30%, but no lower, imo.
If a handicapper is really interested in learning, like Boris said, find someone who is good at it and train under them, devote a couple of seasons at your home track to sharpening your skills.
I would say that trying to learn to watch them on TV is not going to help all that much, UNLESS you have put your time in at the track and know what to look for.
I have to say that you need to devote several months at the very least in learning this skill, you are not born with the ability, you have to work and develop it.
Most people do not have the time nor the will to do it, so you will always have an edge if you are one of the few that do.
CLASS+CONDITION have always been the most important factors and they always will be.

Just read Derek's post.......nuance handicapping is part of the being there, observing. My husband is in the paddock everyday at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park, he observes the early morning schoolers, when certain trainers come over with their horse and are obviously very interested in it, it is very helpful to make note of this, there are dozens of other angles, that the off track player never takes into account. Joe Takach has several articles on this in our own PA reading room, for anyone interested.

Your posts on physicality handicapping are "dead on", Diane. Those not using it to help handicap while at the track are missing great opportunities to score. One of the biggest prices I ever scored was on Jim's Mrtee in the 1999 Southwest Handicap at Oaklawn ($104 win). I picked him in the post parade using physicality handicapping. He was 27-1 when I went to the windows. He ended up at 52-1 when they went off, and I didn't realize it. I had $200 win and place.

Unfortunately, I've never found a good way to use physicality handicapping other than at the track. First hand inspection is the key.

[PaceAdvantage]

lol if i bumped an old thread like this, i'd hear it for weeks. You, otoh, get away scot free. Its good to be you! :D Yeah, the world is against you...

You fail to mention that YOU would bump old threads LIKE CLOCKWORK.

After a while, it gets old. Just like the thread.

[Stillriledup]

Yeah, the world is against you...

You fail to mention that YOU would bump old threads LIKE CLOCKWORK.

After a while, it gets old. Just like the thread.

Where did i say the world is against me?

[PaceAdvantage]

Right here:

lol if i bumped an old thread like this, i'd hear it for weeks. You, otoh, get away scot free.

[Bettowin]

Body language is the term and it might have been mentioned in the thread but I wanted to make sure people interested in this part of the process know about the book by Bonnie Ledbetter and Tom Ainslie. (The Body Language of Horses)

Very easy read and seems basic until you see it on track.

Have a friend who is very good at it and has cashed some very nice tickets throwing out heavy favorites based on the "language" of the horse.

[TheGhostOfOscarB]

The worst is when you spot something so bad you know the jock or the vet is going to scratch it.

[eastie]

when you guys are in the tent, all you have to do is walk out side to see them come past you as they go on the track. If you bet hosses that outlook the field, you will do well. Turf feet off the mud, mud feet back to dirt after bad turf form. there is a wealth of information that is there for the taking

[how cliche]

Is there any value to the following statement?


I see the runners and interpret their signals better in the post parade. I'm watching them from my seat through binoculars in the grand stand. The paddock and walking ring are too close.