Changing leads is not a requirement for winning, but it helps IMO. Some horses never change leads and still win though.
Wasnt Affirmed or Alydar a non changer? May not be one of them, but I'm sure it was a famous horse (or two). Someone out there knows.
I pay attention to first time starters who run well but come up a little short while failing to change leads. If they do so next time that may be all they need to get up.
My question on the subject is this:
Do trainers worry about and try to correct horses who dont switch? I see jocks trying to get horses to switch all the time in the lane. Some are 'aided' by getting into trouble or bumping and they switch leads as a result. I have seen horse hanging and then a rival bumps them, forcing a lead change, and then they go on to win.
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