Historical Roots of Term "Starter" in Starter Alw or Hcp

[eqitec]

Does anyone know why these are called "Starter" Alws or Hcps and when the term was first used?

[jballscalls]

this is in no way THE answer, just my guess.

Because most of the starter handicaps require horses to have been "starters" in a certain type or level of race.

[wisconsin]

I prefer the old school starter handicap races where a horse was assigned a weight by the racing sectetary. Anyone remember when Sportsman's ran the InvH races for $5000 and $10000 runners?

[clocker7]

The earliest that I could find through google books was 1958.

Here is a link to older Jerkens referring to a 1957 event:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?ni...pg=909,1584128

I'll keep moving back in time ....

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by wisconsin

I prefer the old school starter handicap races where a horse was assigned a weight by the racing sectetary. Anyone remember when Sportsman's ran the InvH races for $5000 and $10000 runners?

That was always my perception of a "starter handicap"....
These were races carded for experienced, usually older horses.
Back in the early 80's when Stater Handicaps were for tough older horses, Peat Moss won under 145 lbs in a 2 mile Starter Handicap as aqueduct.
http://www.nytimes.com/1981/04/26/sp...under-145.html
BTW, at the very end of the article, please note the on track attendance.

[NJ Stinks]

Thanks for the article, Thespaah.

[clocker7]

Using newspaper archives, the earliest reference to "starter allowance" is for one of the Florida tracks on March 16, 1955. Other references to "starter handicap" appear later in that year.

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by NJ Stinks

Thanks for the article, Thespaah.

I remember that event like it was yesterday.
I remember watching "Thoroughbred Action" with Harvey Pack. The show aired on Sports Channel NY either 6:30 or 7pm.
Not to derail the thread and turn it into the "Peat Moss" thread....
But this was probably the only horse that I followed like a favorite sports team..
When Peat was entered, I did my best to get to the track to see him race. Yes, I cashed on him quite a bit. But I was a fan. Why? Read this....
http://www.nytimes.com/1981/10/23/sp...m-to-fame.html

How do you NOT root for this guy?!!!!!!

[Tom]

I remember Peat Moss.....nice to hear about him again.

The Finger Lakes distance series, up to 4 miles and 70 yards was a starter series. Ran every week, longer each week, mostly $1500 claimers, increasing weight.....great series.

[JohnGalt1]

Now more tracks are running starter races with the conditions of broke maiden in xxx maiden claiming race and have not won two races.

California started this and now NY is running them.

For my class ratings I rank them 2 levels above the mdn claiming price, ie, Str $40k in Californis is equal to $62,500 open maiden claimer. Which is equal to a $12,500 open claimer for winners.

Whereas a "regular" $20k starter Alw for horses who started for a $20k claiming price once since xxx, I rank these at 2 level above the stated claiming price, or as equal to a $32k open claimer.

I know when I see one of these in a race run in California, I know what it is.

I wish there was a separate designation in the past performances to know the differences between the two.

Maybe S$20,000 and SM$40,000. (The M stands for maiden--though SM is what I do to myself betting on these low class horses.)

[Tom]

Starter races used to be nice niche class, but today, they seem to be just excuses to run cheap horses without having to expose them to a claim.

[BIG49010]

Originally Posted by wisconsin

I prefer the old school starter handicap races where a horse was assigned a weight by the racing sectetary. Anyone remember when Sportsman's ran the InvH races for $5000 and $10000 runners?

I remember Canadian Winter winning like 6 or 7 in a row back 20 years ago, the last with over 130 pounds on her, Buddy Delp had him. Hawthorne used to have the Old Roman Starter series for $5000 claimers also

[Billnewman]

Originally Posted by Tom

Starter races used to be nice niche class, but today, they seem to be just excuses to run cheap horses without having to expose them to a claim.

But the trainer has to expose the horse to make it eligible. With a condition book you can dig into the trainers mind and maybe explain a suspicious drop

[Ocala Mike]

Originally Posted by Tom

I remember Peat Moss.....nice to hear about him again.

.

Yeah, Murray Garren owned him; won under 145 lbs. one day.

[clocker7]

OP: I am still searching, and I can't get earlier than 1955 for the phrases "starter allowance" or "starter handicap" (and spelling variations).

That includes the DRF archives that are available through the 40s. It leads me to believe that races formally called that originated in the 50s. I also noticed that some of the earliest versions were series in nature.

Yours is an interesting question.