Japanese training methods and philosophy

[Carlo Algatrensig]

Carlos suggests that claiming races are far less common in Britain than they are here. I don't remember them myself at all when I used to watch racing in Britain in the 70's. Carlos, have they increased in number?

I think my estimation of 1/6th of races being claimers is still above what it actually is because on a typical race card in britain there will be 6 races and at most 1 of those races will be a claimer.

Most british racing except for Maidens and Class 1 races are handicaps. I think this came about because of the off course betting markets which fund british racing through the Levy Scheme wanting competitive racing with as few short priced favourites as possible.

[pokeyman]

Pokeyman PM me a give me the name of your TB that had 40+ lifetime starts. I will do a ped search on his roots of soundness, Thanks Louis.

I sent you a PM with her name. As you will see, no Northern Dancer or Mr. Prospector. She has very non-commercial bloodlines.

Thanks and please PM me back with what you discover!

[pokeyman]

geo, there is no other jusrisdiction as large as the U.S., i.e., number of tracks and number of horses. Claiming races evolved to level the playing field. In theory, one would not run a $25K claimer in a $10K claiming race or vice versa. Its suppose to make racing a fairer sport. Plus it gives the better a history or form to analyse the field of runners. As you know about 70% of races on a card are claiming races. Many cheap horses and only a hand full of good ones. That's what makes the good ones so valuable.

I understand about leveling the playing field but why use the claimer tag?

Why not take a $5000 claiming race for non-winners of 2 lifetime and make it a $5000 allowance race for non-winners of 2 lifetime?

Better horses will be left out because of the restrictions. Also, if you have a horse that could run for more money you would run it for more money and not double dip in a race for half the purse.

Wouldn't this also level the playing field?

The way I see it....there are 2 reasons people run a claimer.

1) to find easier company

2) to dump an injured horse

So, why not make races with easier company (based on restrictions) without allowing the horses to be claimed.

Thus, injured horses would not be run into the ground until they break down and good but slow horses would have easier company.

Just my opinion.......

[larrygene]

pokey, they already have a race for $5000 allowance non winners of 2 lifetime. And you can enter your horse if they fit the conditions. But what about the horse that has won 10 times?? Where do they fit? I don't see how you equate claiming races with horses breaking down. What about Eight Belles and Barbaro?? What about H/J that breakdown or steeple chasers. Each sport has their own levels of competition. I'm sorry I don't follow your logic about claiming horses being run until they breakdown. Do you run your horses in claiming races???

[Tiz]

Here you all go, another negative newspaper column on racing.
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregon ... xml&coll=7


Can racing survive itself? I don't know. Even if all of the people resistant to any change do an about face today, it may already be too late to turn the boat around.

Dog racing uses a grading system, instead of claiming races. Double AA, A, B, and so on. The less talented dogs ran in the lower grades, for less money. Why wouldn't that work in horse racing?

[Tucumcari]

Tuc, are horses going barefoot just during training there?

Yes!

[Tucumcari]

Medici Code is a fashion bred that started 10 times, is he still racing. or has he been retired?

In training at his regular spot at SA, Louis

[Tiz]

No barefoot racing?

[Tucumcari]

Heck no. You know how much they'd slip around and the bruising they'd get? Especially specific synthetics. Cushion and the mix at SA both have HUGE rock like chunks of rubber. The PSI of one leg is huge at a run, put a rock or a few rocks under the foot repetitively and you'd not have a horse that could walk for days afterward, IMO. And I think we are trying to not cause more discomfort

[larrygene]

Tiz, in essence claiming races are a system that grades racehorses just like your example of grading dog races. They're both ways to keep like quality and class competeing against like quality and class. No difference!! Does anyone remember what and why the TB was bred for?? To run and compete!!!! My horse is faster than your horse!!! Well, let's see. That's the beginning of horseracing in a nutshell.

[larrygene]

deleted

[Tucumcari]

Claiming horses are useful and fun! AND not all horses are crated equal, so they are not just a dumping grounds for "bad" horses. And it's a great challenge taking someone's horse and trying to improve it or trying to win a race with it. It's a great gamble. You can make so much money and have so much fun doing it!

[larrygene]

Tuc, I feel the same way you do about claiming horses. Love to claim one and try to move it up. How many horses that are running for $5K or less would have gone to the killer if not for those type races???

[louis finochio]

I have a gallop girl friend that works at Golden Gate for joe Josephson, she told me they have taken the shoes off, as those Tb were geting sore behind, & when they pulled the shoes, their soreness is no more. Thanks Clare for your comments.

[Tucumcari]

Holy Smokes, Claire still works for Jed. Man she's been there with him forever it seems! Good for her!