Whatever happened to the "bounce"?

[Toccet02]

I used to hear about this in handicapping; after a good effort a horse often put in a bad one, then perhaps a good one again.

I don't hear about it anymore, and in studying past performances, I rarely see it anymore.

Why? Are tbreds more consistent? Are trainers placing horses better?

[dublino]

Usually in Euroland here horses bounce after a long layoff, so they say.

What you find is a horse running well after 100+ days off usually running 2nd at big odds then bouncing the next start at a low price maybe even starting as favourite, then the next race winning at larger odds - call me a synic here but I believe the owners/trainers bet the horse the start after "the bounce" and collect nicely.

[zinn21]

I do think horses bounce. I have a theory that it takes more time for most horses to recover due to the administration of lasix and bounce more frequently than thirty years ago when lasix was non existent. I additionally believe other medications given to horses prior to race day hinder recovery post race.

Back in the day there were tons of horses who ran once a week or every other week. I don't think horses are significantly different genetically today than thirty years ago. IMO it must be environmental in nature.

[bdw0617]

I do not think there is a such thing as a bo unce.

(roll with me on this one lol)

I think bouncing is equivalent to a good looking woman thinking a guy is gay just because she doesn't like him. ti's a very convenient excuse to cover up the fact that you can't handicap.

when all else fails "oh he bounced".

I think, no i know beyond a shadow of a doubt horses go up and down, but if a horse can run 2-3-4 good races then throw a bad one, that is too loose a definition to call it a bounce.



if there IS a such thing i think the only time time it would apply is after the breedrs cup or derby. there is a reason horses like zenyatta need a half year off almost after those types of races.