Five Second Improve in Workout Time Means...?

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ZiaLand
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Five Second Improve in Workout Time Means...?

Postby ZiaLand » Thu Sep 15, 2005 2:15 pm

Ok, stopwatch gurus, can someone interpret these workout times for a filly I'm following. She shipped from Del Mar to Belmont between these two works, but does the difference in the track alone account for the approximately 5-1/2 second faster time at Belmont, or do you think this indicates she's being sharpened?

Last Reported Workouts:
09/10/2005-BELMONT PARK-Four Furlongs-Dirt Fast-46:87 Handily
08/22/2005-DEL MAR-Four Furlongs-Dirt Fast-52:40 Handily

46:87 is a pretty good clip for 4 furlongs, isn't it?

These works are for River's Prayer (by Devon Lane) and she's currently enterred in the G1 Matron Stakes at Belmont on Saturday.

Thanks,
Laurie
So many pedigrees...so little time. (C)

Playwithfire
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Postby Playwithfire » Fri Sep 16, 2005 8:08 am

Well, given Del Mar is generally a faster surface than Belmont as far as times go, I would think that is a huge improvement. One thing to be cautious about is that although both works are described as "Handily", that can encompass a broad spectrum of effort. If you've ever seen workouts in person you can tell that some horses are really being urged or shown the whip while others are simply receiving a hand ride. Both may be considered "Handily" but the efforts the horse puts out is much different. If you can get your hands on a "Clockers report", that might indicate how the horse was running (really trying both times, or cruising along at a decent clip).

46 and 4 is very fast i think for a work.

HR LLC
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Postby HR LLC » Fri Sep 16, 2005 8:33 am

I dont rely on workouts unless its for maiden.

It seems like the trainer is trying a different approach going into this race. The last work was slow at Del Mar and it was 5 days before she ran in a grade 2, so maybe that did not want to do to much with her 5 days before the race.

Her work at Bel is faster and its about 8 days before the race. Plus you throw in the fact that she made the trip from CA to NY. The trainer wanted to make sure she was fit and she handled the Belmont track. Looks like she is fired up and ready to go. If she runs bad in the Matron I doubt you will see another fast work before a race on this filly.