Thoroughbred race times???

[Slew83]

How fast should a Thoroughbred run to be considered to race? Times for a mile?

[larrygene]

In California, I'd say about 1:35 and change!!! If they can do that then they have a good chance of competing.

[zinn21]

Slew are you asking how fast a horse should work a mile in order to race a mile??

Are you talking about a horse who has never run?

If so I would say a few 7/8's in at least 1:27 and a mile in 1:42.

[larrygene]

You'll starve too death in California running a 1:42!!

[zinn21]

Works Larry works..

[larrygene]

zinn, the headline of this post is, " thoroughbred race times", not work times!!! I was being a bit facetious concerning the time but you and I know a 1:42 is cheap claimer time which might be ok for Mountaineer but with the high cost of racing in CA you will go broke.

[zinn21]

Slew, if you are talking about a first time starter, the workout times I posted above would be what I think is sufficient here in Nor Cal. Most horses sprint a time or two prior to stretching out to a mile or more.

Currently at GGF allowance horses are going a mile in 1:36/1:37. Higher end claimers are getting a mile in 1:37/1:38. Lower end claimers are getting a mile in 1:38/1:39 and maiden claimers 1:40/1:41. Times can and do vary from race to race and it would be fair to say that some cheaper horses will get a mile 1:38 and a higher priced claimer or allowance horse may get the same distance at the same speed. So times in general should not be the bottom line in assessing a horses class or racing ability. The great trainer Jack Van Berg likes to say "time only counts when your in prison"

[Stevie Belmont]

It all depends. Surface, track conditions, class of horse and the type of race. Stakes horses on dirt can do it between 1:33-1:35 and on grass it can be even fatser, between 1:32-1:34.

Now if we are talking cheap claimers on either surface, the times could be around 1:37-1:39..It all depends though.