What decides where a horse can race?

SouthernStar · Postby **SouthernStar** » Sun May 20, 2007 10:22 pm

I am trying to figure out how it is decided what track a horse can race on. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Pete · Postby **Pete** » Mon May 21, 2007 5:09 am

Hi SouthernStar,

Your question is rather vague.

The owner usually decides where (what track) the horse will race. The trainer usually decides what caliber of race and surface, (grass or dirt) the horse is best suited for.

Regards,

Pete

SouthernStar · Postby **SouthernStar** » Mon May 21, 2007 8:43 am

Sorry, didn't mean to be vague. My friend and I have a horse we purchased off the track in Ohio and we are bringing the horse "home" to Southern California. A trainer checked the horses race record and said that the horse was not running the type of race to run at Del Mar, maybe Northern California. Does this make sense?

HR LLC · Postby **HR LLC** » Mon May 21, 2007 9:35 am

The trainer was talking about the competition level at the Ohio track...SoCal Tracks, Belmont, Saratoga, the Big A, Churchill, Keeneland,Gulfstream are thought of to be the toughest racing circuits in the US...I know others can make a case for other tracks but generally those are considered the best in the US...

It depends upon the talent of the horse...for example...if you bought a horse from an Ohio race track that was running at a 5k claiming level...that horse would not be competitive at Del Mar that may only card 10k claiming races once in awhile. Those 10k claimers will be tough since you have horses dropping down from higher levels trying to get a win...

A 5k horse claimer in Ohio is a 5k horse everywhere...you may run into the situation where some 10k horses running at Del Mar/SA or Hollywood can beat some 20k claiming horses running in NoCal but that is rare....you can run a horse in any race but you want to put them in a sitiuation where they have a chance to win...The trainer does not think your horse has a chance winning a race at DelMar...

Hope this helps...

Postby **Roguelet** » Mon May 21, 2007 11:38 am

Just wanted to add, because I can't help myself: A lot can depend on the trainer who had the horse, too. There are some trainers who likely couldn't train a horse with G1 talent to win a nickel claimer. It's hard to tell that just from looking at a horse's race record, though, unless your trainer knows a little something about trainers in the area where the horse is coming from...

HR LLC · Postby **HR LLC** » Mon May 21, 2007 11:46 am

I agree Roguelet on the trainer issue...there are horses like PT's Grey Eagle running at the bottom level at Hollywood Park...this horse was a grade 1 winner in 2004...granted his current racing ability may dicate he runs at the bottom but he won for fun at the 8k level this past weekend....

SouthernStar · Postby **SouthernStar** » Mon May 21, 2007 9:22 pm

Thanks, that helps a great deal. I think we have found a solution at least for now. Since we have no way of knowing what level this horse is really at, and the original trainer was honest in saying he had too many horses to give the one we bought the proper time. I guess the original owner lived in Canada and never even saw this horse. All we can go on at this point is the trainers word that this mare wants to run.
Anyway, we are going to put her at San Luis Rey, have her evaluated and see where we stand.

Tiz · Postby **Tiz** » Tue May 22, 2007 5:23 am

It's fair season in CA, too. Check the California TB breeder's site online for info and dates.

SouthernStar · Postby **SouthernStar** » Tue May 22, 2007 9:50 pm

She has made it to her new home today. I am thinking what was said about trainers may hold true for this girl. On her papers her first race and win was a 25,000. race at Pimlico. Don't know how competitive that track is. And he last win is last month a 5,000. claiming race in Ohio with a different trainer and owner. She is badly in need of groceries and a little TLC, so we will rest her and see how she does. Ultimately I liked her bloodlines and was interested in breeding her.

Pete · Postby **Pete** » Wed May 23, 2007 12:02 am

Hi SouthernStar,

Can you share her name?

I'm sure that your people will mention it but be sure to worm her, check for ulcers and have her feet looked after.

If you can forward her PPs tome at: [email protected]
I'd be happy to give my opinion on her racing past and prospects.

Regards,

Pete