Where Do You Want Your Horse Positioned?

[michiken]

So you spent a fair amount of time isolating your main contender and are getting decent odds.

What running style do you want to see your horse to display today? How should it distribute its energy?

[cj]

The one the horse has been in when he has won in the past.

[Overlay]

Given the way that you worded the choices, I would opt for number 2. I like a horse to be favorably positioned early (including the lead), but not if it means going unnecessarily fast to open a wide lead, or holding the lead at any cost by engaging in a speed duel. As long as the horse is within striking distance, then the addition of class, condition, speed, and the rider's judgment/ability into the equation is generally enough for the horse to maintain a maximum effort to the wire.

(That doesn't necessarily mean that I would bet only those types, however. If I bet a late-running horse, it would be because I believed that he had a sufficient edge over the competition in the areas that I mentioned to offset the disadvantages that go along with having to come from behind.)

[46zilzal]

No race being the same, or anywhere even close, I want my horse close to where I predicted it to be.

[thaskalos]

I would like my horse to get the lead...and then improve its position.

[Fingal]

Energy style- depending on what the track profile is at the distance, this is usually the determining factor among my preliminary contenders.

[LottaKash]

For me, if I have done my homework well, and remain focused, all I ask is for my pick to be in or nearing contention at the top of the lane......

best,

[netbet]

Depends on the surface and distance.

Dirt sprints = on the lead....alone :lol:

[formula_2002]

FIRST OUT OF THE GATE AND LAST TO THE BARN..

[markgoldie]

Hopefully, you'd like the horse positioned in the area with the highest impact value for producing winners at the track/surface/distance.

That being said, I don't think that unless you are an exceptional specialist, you should be concentrating prime bets in race where the winner comes generally from off the pace. That is, you want to concentrate on E types and E/P types where their style suits the T/S/D. Consequently, I want my horse close to the pace as possible.

[senortout]

Position being all important! I just hate when a late type is sent. Trying to determine a genuine late type(think Z here) is sometimes a bit tricky, and frustrating. Genuine speed types much easier for me to determine. I can predict the leader in over 90% of handicapped races. Not nearly good enough spotting the cheap speed though.

The next time you play horses from this circuit....Louisiana Downs, Evangeline and Delta with Fairgrounds thrown in.......explain the lousy performances, and the amazing turnarounds, as these shippers move from track to track. Its an eye opener with regards to race position, early speed, and horse for courses. I would appreciate comments on this circuit, realizing its off the subject.

senortout

[Turkoman]

So you spent a fair amount of time isolating your main contender and are getting decent odds.

What running style do you want to see your horse to display today? How should it distribute its energy?

It's impossible to answer that question without knowing the distance of the race and the natural style of the horse you like. For example, if you like Quality Road in the BCC, you definitely don't want to see him at the back of the pack.

Turkoman

[Investorater]

I'd prefer my selections to be positioned in the winners circle, ready for the

photo....;)

[Charlie D]

So you spent a fair amount of time isolating your main contender and are getting decent odds.
sign
What running style do you want to see your horse to display today? How should it distribute its energy?


If you have spent a fair amount of time on a race, you should already have an idea regarding horses running style and how it's energy may be distributed.

If you do not, do not invest one cent and keep practising on paper.


Hope this helps and all the best.

[OTM Al]

Underneath the jockey for the duration of the race....

I hate deep closers. Anwhere else is fine depending on how the race is being run.

[cj's dad]

Underneath the jockey for the duration of the race....

I hate deep closers. Anwhere else is fine depending on how the race is being run.

Agreed. Every aspect of the race has to go right for them to win; pace, trip,

and timing by the jockey.

[markgoldie]

Underneath the jockey for the duration of the race....

Reminds me of the story of the outspoken jockey great of the past, Willie Hartack.

Seems one day Hartack is riding a horse that the trainer is very enthusiastic about. He tells Hartack how the lines on the pp are misleading and how much better the horse will be today. After that, he gives Hartack a detailed set of instructions on how to ride the horse.

Hartack says nothing; the race goes off and the horse finishes well back in the field. When Hartack brings the horse back from the track, the trainer rushes up screaming at him-

"I told you to lay off the early speed and make your move midway around the last turn!!"

Hartack looks at him with the deadpan face and says, "Well I was gonna do that... I planned to do that... But then I decided it was better to stay with the horse."

I might have told that one before, but it always makes me laugh.

[OTM Al]

Agreed. Every aspect of the race has to go right for them to win; pace, trip,

and timing by the jockey.

Perhaps I should qualify that though. Deep closers are great for playing underneath. They get overbet on the win end, but they do have value underneath and often do get there. Some are the exacta players' best friends.

[raybo]

You forgot, in your poll:

Where the horse's preferred running style puts him.

or

At the correct position dictated by the pace of the race. (this varies with individual horses, "one size does not fit all" in this game)

[fmolf]

You forgot, in your poll:

Where the horse's preferred running style puts him.

or

At the correct position dictated by the pace of the race. (this varies with individual horses, "one size does not fit all" in this game)
I agree.... I certainly don't want my lone closer in a field of speed balls dueling up front!Or my lone speed getting tucking in behind the field!Their are times when a preferred running style is winning more at certain tracks i try to pass races where the best horse is at a disadvantage to the running style that is winning that day or week.They can beat your horse with the preferred running style just because of the edge they have in class,speed or ability.

[Investorater]

In regard to running styles, the key is to watch races or study charts closely,

in order to determine a possible track bias. (which could change overnight)

And to make a judgement call on a current bias, if any.

[Tape Reader]

As a tote board player, I usualy have no idea of the running style of my bet. However, I seem to do much better when my horse breaks alertly, regardless of how she/he settles in.

[dansan]

how does somebody make moneyfrom :confused: just watching the tote board

[Tape Reader]

how does somebody make moneyfrom :confused: just watching the tote board

By accepting the fact that I don't know, what I don't know. Too many variables in PP analysis.

I am just a casual player and only visit Saratoga as a family event, but I'm in the black for the last three years.

I only bet prices and box triples.

One of my favorite conditions, with some simple discriminators is: < the ML at approximately 10 MTP, regardless of final odds.

[ranchwest]

You forgot, in your poll:

Where the horse's preferred running style puts him.

or

At the correct position dictated by the pace of the race. (this varies with individual horses, "one size does not fit all" in this game)

Good answer. I'm surprised there weren't more responses on this path.

A horse's pace doesn't dictate the pace of the field. The pace of the field dictates the winner of the race.

[Trotman]

Raybo you are so right. Many times when some one has asked me who I like in the race my answer will be this horse or that horse fits the probable pace of the race and in many cases the comeback will be ya so who do you like
which tells me this fellow didn't understand. To go on explaining the importance of where the horse or horse's will be comfortable in the pace scenario is an answer for another day.

[raybo]

Yeah, I think the vast majority of players just don't realize that a couple of fifths of a second, prior to the stretch, can really kill a horse's chance of scoring, at least in races below the top echelon of horses, which is the majority of races.

[Trotman]

I remember Frankie Merrill one of the great trainers of days gone by telling me what he says to the jockey before giving him a leg up and that was I've done my job now don't mess it up. Put the horse in a position to win on or pressing the lead. Any rider who thought the one big run at the end was going to endear him to Frank was oh so wrong and didn't ride for him again.

[Cratos]

So you spent a fair amount of time isolating your main contender and are getting decent odds.

What running style do you want to see your horse to display today? How should it distribute its energy?

The DRF once published that 60% of all races are won by frontrunners: and if that is true (and my horse has that running style) that is where I would want it to be in the race.

[salty]

Well this isn't a really good poll idea since all races are different. But i know where everyone would like their horse positioned........ right in the middle of the winners circle.