Down the ladder

[no breathalyzer]

Originally Posted by pandy

If claiming races were eliminated I'm not sure if I'd continue to bet horses. Maiden claiming and restricted claiming races, like N2L and N3L, or even the time restricted claiming races, are my most profitable races (along with MSW races).

Generally speaking, allowance races are not good betting races because of the fact that the condition is not precise. For instance, NW3 other than maiden, claiming, or starter. The NW3 doesn't mean much because there could be horses in the race that have 12 wins. You have to be extremely selective to find good bets in allowance races and if, as a bettor, I have to pass almost every race, I would lose interest in the game.

these have become by far the most profitable for me as well

[pandy]

I've told this story before, but one of the best things that ever happened to me as a bettor and handicapper was when I bet on a horse in a contentious NW3 Allowance race at Saratoga. This was probably 15 years ago or so. The race The horse was 3-1. Halfway through the race, the horse was right in contention but in a tight pack when I got an epiphany...which was, "why in the hell would anyone bet any horse at 3-1 in this type of a field, and why am I betting it?"

That changed my theory of finding good bets entirely. Since then, I rarely bet "non winners other than" races. That being said, I like true condition races like N2L where every horse only has one win.

That was also when I started looking at other tracks instead of just betting one circuit...more opportunities. If you're good at betting certain types of races, say maiden races, you may as well check out as many as you can so you don't miss any good bets.

[Redboard]

Originally Posted by Tom

True story - back in the 70's, Finger Lakes put in a rule that if a horse had not finished in the money, 1-2-3, in any of it's last 6 races, it was not eligible to run.

Very quickly, the entries took such a major hit the rule was rescinded.

Why not a condition where no one finished in the money, 1-2-3, in any of it's last 6 races?

Wouldn't get any 3/5's in that baby.

[pandy]

Originally Posted by Redboard

Why not a condition where no one finished in the money, 1-2-3, in any of it's last 6 races?

Wouldn't get any 3/5's in that baby.

You would have to be extremely creative to do away with claiming races. It will never happen, but I guess it could be done without destroying the sport, but you would have to have a lot more conditions.

[classhandicapper]

I don't think the core problem is the classification system. IMO, it's that once a horse's form starts declining due to an accumulation of injuries or age, the standards for allowing him to continue to run are too loose.

It certainly appears that there is a difference between being sound enough to get past the vet and run and doing what is in the horse's best interests for his long term health once he starts getting older or starts to decline due to accumulated minor injuries.

I understand the economic pressures, but maybe if you are so worried about the bills and squeezing every last drop out of a horse you should not own racehorses to begin with. (or even be allowed to own racehorses)

[macguy]

Originally Posted by Redboard

Why not a condition where no one finished in the money, 1-2-3, in any of it's last 6 races?

Wouldn't get any 3/5's in that baby.

I think Hastings Park did a few of those at the end of last year.
Kinda gave the races a feeling of horsemen's welfare.

[classhandicapper]

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

I don't think the core problem is the classification system. IMO, it's that once a horse's form starts declining due to an accumulation of injuries or age, the standards for allowing him to continue to run are too loose.

It certainly appears that there is a difference between being sound enough to get past the vet and run and doing what is in the horse's best interests for his long term health once he starts getting older or starts to decline due to accumulated minor injuries.

I understand the economic pressures, but maybe if you are so worried about the bills and squeezing every last drop out of a horse you should not own racehorses to begin with. (or even be allowed to own racehorses)

Now that I think about it, this situation reminds me a lot of boxing.

[bello]

On the other hand...This horse My Adonis may be in a very good place and quite lucky.

The horse is older....may or may not be infirm, may be just slowing down or not eager to compete as hard as he was when younger. Now he is up at Finger Lakes where the competition is easier. Reminds me of when I joined a Golden Boys basketball league when I could no longer compete with the youngsters but still loved the game and the competition, just didn't have the skills I once had.

And what is the alternative for My Adonis, the kill pen?

Looks to me like her current trainer Amber Cobb ( who I do not know) has listed horses in the past for adoption or a new "job".

Not a bad alternative for a horse getting older.

http://fingerlakesfinesttbs.com/