Gate break handicapping

[ZippyChippy423]

Another form of “ let me try and predict the pace of a race because I can see the future” lol. Anyway does anyone follow horses who gate break well or not well? I think the gate break is a huge factor in any race but more so how a jockey can use it to his/her advantage. In the longer races I like jockeys who “ catch a flyer” on the break but drop back and close.

[clicknow]

I only do this when there are a LOT of replays available, like for graded stakes. I agree that breaking can be very important, but I just don't have time to watch every horse's past performances for every day races.
OTOH you can have horses who can stand, like they're stunned in the gate, and still come around to win, I seem to remember Zenyatta and a few other horses doing stuff like that.
I've also made $ on horses who keep breaking badly, and then finally get it right and win at high odds. My feeling is that the stumblers and air-jumpers may eventually get a good break and their odds will reflect only their past troubles.

[jay68802]

Originally Posted by clicknow

I only do this when there are a LOT of replays available, like for graded stakes. I agree that breaking can be very important, but I just don't have time to watch every horse's past performances for every day races.
OTOH you can have horses who can stand, like they're stunned in the gate, and still come around to win, I seem to remember Zenyatta and a few other horses doing stuff like that.
I've also made $ on horses who keep breaking badly, and then finally get it right and win at high odds. My feeling is that the stumblers and air-jumpers may eventually get a good break and their odds will reflect only their past troubles.

Then you should put a horse named Woodbury in your horse to watch list. A maiden that has broke poorly in all his starts, but seems to have some talent.

[Tom]

I use the start call in the PPs to evaluate front runners.