Continue training or bring home?

Blue feather · Postby **Blue feather** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 4:35 am

I have a 2yo gelding that just finished a suprising 3rd in a MD 16k on his 2nd time out. His 1st race he showed no interest and finished last never getting involved. He was a physically balanced yearling but is an awkward 2yo. Very tall and narrow. I'm hoping he will fill out over time. My question is , would he mature better in training or at home on the farm?

merse · Postby **merse** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 4:53 am

Not knowing the specifics, I think the attitude change from "no interest" to "3rd" in his next race is a sign he is going in the right direction.

da hossman · Postby **da hossman** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 7:16 am

If he does not have any soundness issues it would be silly not to continue to train him and race him....at the track.

ratherrapid · Postby **ratherrapid** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:45 am

i'd agree. its other than a question of maturity as, will that happen either place? this does seem a legit concern, but if there is a danger of injury due to conformation, I'd want to get my trainer's thoughts and understand the training process to be planned.

spex4me · Postby **spex4me** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 4:19 pm

He's two and if this was a Timmonium third.... ummm.....me personally he'd get a break to mature and try again at a better venue. jmo and it ain't worth much :wink:

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Joltman · Postby **Joltman** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 3:13 pm

Can't know for sure, but certainly no call to give up if he hit the board his second out. One big factor is whether his sire really hit his stride early or late. A lot of quality stallions really do not have precocious two year olds but their 3 YOs get going. Dam may have similar influence. Hows he bred?

If a horse 'wakes up' after a performance such as the first he may well be learnining how to be more aggressive and find himself a race horse attitude wise. Not a bad angle for the windows in the maiden races...

I know of trainers who went both ways with this sort of thing. Some that continued and the horse came along, winning after several more starts. Others who gave them time off to fill out and grow up a little. I would try him once more at the track then consider some place like Fair Hill where they have paddocks where the horses can get exercise (jog, swim, whatever to keep fitness) in the morning and some paddock time in the afternoon - best of both worlds. He may come back ready pretty quickly if he's already been running

jm