z-pattern

[theBozyn]

does anyone know what the "Z" pattern is?

[Dr Gonzo]

If I remember correctly, according to Andy Beyer, the Z pattern occurs when a horse runs opposite running styles in two consecutive races.

Ex: shows early speed and fades followed by a race where the animal shows little early foot then closes strongly.

Hope this helps.

Doc

[Pensacola Pete]

My understanding of the Z pattern is a horse who is close to the pace, then loses positions and/or lengths between two points of call, then gains ground to the finish. The idea is that the horse had two workouts during a race.

Examples might include:

2-1 2-hd 6-5 4-3
1-hd 2-1 5-8 3-4½

3-2 4-3 7-8 5-2

The idea as I understand it is one of two things: the horse got impeded at some point or the horse had two workouts in the race: one to be in contention and a second one in the last part of the race. Scott Flohr detailed something similar in his book, only the horse maintained position from the stretch to finish.

One problem with the "Z" is that the loss of ground may have been simply because the horse was unsound and blew the turn. With the Z pattern, it might be a good idea to watch the replay of the race.

[Dr Gonzo]

Looks like Pete is correct.

here's an old PA thread that might help:

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-86183.html

[fmolf]

If I remember correctly, according to Andy Beyer, the Z pattern occurs when a horse runs opposite running styles in two consecutive races.

Ex: shows early speed and fades followed by a race where the animal shows little early foot then closes strongly.

Hope this helps.

Doc
the z pattern is also called the fall back and gain angle and was first brought to the attention of horseplayers by Ainslie i believe.A horse speeds out to an early lead falls back in the body of the race and then gains on his rivals at the end of the race....their is also an angle i look for in consecutive races. Where horse shows early speed in first race off a layoff(speed inducing workout)and in 2nd race after layoff, shows more speed at the latter stages of the race(stamina inducing workout) in 3rd race after these two workout races its go time!

[pandy]

My understanding of the Z pattern is a horse who is close to the pace, then loses positions and/or lengths between two points of call, then gains ground to the finish. The idea is that the horse had two workouts during a race.

Examples might include:

2-1 2-hd 6-5 4-3
1-hd 2-1 5-8 3-4½

3-2 4-3 7-8 5-2

The idea as I understand it is one of two things: the horse got impeded at some point or the horse had two workouts in the race: one to be in contention and a second one in the last part of the race. Scott Flohr detailed something similar in his book, only the horse maintained position from the stretch to finish.

One problem with the "Z" is that the loss of ground may have been simply because the horse was unsound and blew the turn. With the Z pattern, it might be a good idea to watch the replay of the race.


You see this a lot in harness racing, they leave and get shuffled behind a tiring horse then rally late. In thoroughbred racing it's not as common but as Pete suggested, it is a better angle if the horse was actually shuffled back rather than just unable to keep up. Sometimes first or second time starters will leave well and then race greenly on the turn or race greenly because of the kickback, then rally in the stretch once they get a clear spot, and that can be a very good bet back.