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Originally Posted by jpren37
trainer question:
How often does it happen that a trainer is not trying to win (I don't mean those situations where the trainer instructs the jock not to push but if the horse wants to run, let him go. I mean specific instructions to the jock not to win this time.) Perhaps he is pointing for another race or some other circumstance that necessitates just a workout today. Is there a way for a handicapper to spot this trainer's intention? Obviously horses win first time at a particular distance, first time at a certain class, first time off a particular length layoff etc. You can't just look to those factors and say the trainer is not entered to win today simply because the horse has never won with those factors. Are there any tell-tale signs to look for?
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Very rarely will a trainer instruct a jockey not to win. That doesn't mean that every starter is well meant. In the past more than now trainers used to race their horses into shape often giving them a race or two. Charlie Whittingham rarely won with 1st timers for instance. With win % meaning so much more now than in the past a lot of guys wont give them one off of a layoff or 1st time.
I actually had a horse in an allowance race at Turfway once off of a long layoff that I thought was a little short and I was getting a race under his belt for Keeneland. He was not a KY bred so I did NOT want to win the TP race being that 1/2 of the purse was KY bred money. So I instructed the jock to take the horse back, stay on the rail and don't really let him run until the 1/8th pole and gallop out strong after the race. Of course the three favorites duel on the front end, the entire field gets out on the final turn and the jock who is trying to get the horse in trouble, can't and wins the race under a double hold. First time I apologized to an owner after winning a race.
