Question about horses held in races?

[brown011]

Could someone please give me their opinion on a horse and whether or not she was held in her past two races? The jocks orders were to "go to the front," her name is American Land, she last ran at Fairmount Park. Or maybe she just can't run?

[louis finochio]

What was her odds, if a longshot, cant run, if a 9-2 shot she had ability.

[Bast]

Could someone please give me their opinion on a horse and whether or not she was held in her past two races? The jocks orders were to "go to the front," her name is American Land, she last ran at Fairmount Park. Or maybe she just can't run?

American Land has fallen a long way since breaking her maiden at Belmont Park in 2009. She showed some speed in those days, but in 2010 she last raced in May, then sold for $1200 at Keeneland in November. Her two starts at Fairmount reflect that $1200 price.

I don't think anyone is "holding" this mare. I think she has physical problems.

[brown011]

March 15 she went off as favoite after a bullet work. Her last start prior to that race was a 25,000 claimer at Belmont where she ran into traffic, then was taken back to last and still came on to run 5th. March 15 after a bullet work, she couldnt catch a 5,000 Fairmount Park claimer? She must be done

[Bast]

March 15 she went off as favoite after a bullet work. Her last start prior to that race was a 25,000 claimer at Belmont where she ran into traffic, then was taken back to last and still came on to run 5th. March 15 after a bullet work, she couldnt catch a 5,000 Fairmount Park claimer? She must be done

She sounds like an inherently fast horse with a recurring physical problem. There has to be some reason why she did not start between last May and this March.

[TJ]

March 15 she went off as favoite after a bullet work. Her last start prior to that race was a 25,000 claimer at Belmont where she ran into traffic, then was taken back to last and still came on to run 5th. March 15 after a bullet work, she couldnt catch a 5,000 Fairmount Park claimer? She must be done

Hi Brown,
There was a 10 month gap between her Belmont race and her first start at Fairmount. In the Fairmount race you mentioned, the track was sloppy and sealed, she broke poorly stumbling at the start......consider that race was coming in off a 10 month layoff....add the poor track condition and stumbling there's no need to write her off just yet....unless she's broke down. Her most recent race, run 3/29 was a big improvement finishing 5th of ten with a decent running line and plenty trouble from start to finish. She's sitting on a winning race, she just needs to stretch out a bit more (she's not a 4 1/2 furlong horse) and they write some interesting races for a horse like her at FP. Below is a link to her most recent race (scroll down to the 8th race) as well as a few races that are upcoming at FP she would fit in and most likely win or start earning her way.......this provided the horse is doing OK physically. She was able to run back 2 weeks after her first Fairmount race......if she came out of that race in good order she will put a smile on your face. TJ
http://www1.drf.com/drfPDFChartRacesInd ... 0329&RN=99

Tuesday April 19:
SUBSTITUTE RACE NO 2 CLAIMING
PURSE $4,000. FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD
WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE IN 2010-2011 OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON
TWO RACES.
Three Year Olds 115 lbs. Older 123 lbs.
Non-winners Of A Race Since March 19 3 lbs.
A Race Since February 19 6 lbs.
CLAIMING PRICE $3,200
FIVE AND ONE HALF FURLONGS

Friday April 22:
TENTH RACE CLAIMING
PURSE $4,000. FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD
WHICH HAVE NOT WON TWO RACES IN 2010-2011 OR WHICH HAVE NEVER
WON THREE RACES.
Three Year Olds 115 lbs. Older 123 lbs.
Non-winners Of Two Races Since February 22 3 lbs.
A race since then 6 lbs.
CLAIMING PRICE $3,200
FIVE AND ONE HALF FURLONGS

SUBSTITUTE RACE NO 1 CLAIMING
PURSE $4,000. FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD
WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES.
Three Year Olds 115 lbs. Older 123 lbs.
Non-winners Of Two Races Since February 22 3 lbs.
A race since then 6 lbs.
CLAIMING PRICE $3,200
SIX FURLONGS
Alternate Distance: ONE MILE AND SEVENTY YARDS

Tuesday April 26
NINTH RACE CLAIMING
PURSE $4,400. FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD
WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES.
Three Year Olds 115 lbs. Older 123 lbs.
Non-winners Of Two Races Since February 26 3 lbs.
A race since then 6 lbs.
CLAIMING PRICE $5,000
(Claiming races for $4,000 or less not considered in allowances)
FIVE AND ONE HALF FURLONGS

[JimP]

Hi Guys,

TJ a nice well thought out answer without preaching.

[tbrace]

True, Jim P,

However, if there are 100 jocks in a room, 99 want to "rate" and then make a move in the stretch.

In fairness, many trainers want to do the same thing.

Richard Migliorie said on HRTV the other day, that this practice will often "teach" a horse to go slow.

I think he's right.

[wilf]

Migliore is an ex jockey and tv pundit, however he is not paying the bills on any horses that I know of ,his comments therefore are not as cautious as they would be from an insider who has closer touch with the said animal. Most horses that are "sent" in a race usually become rabbits for the closers and if an older horse works fast in the mornings but has no early foot in the afternoon means that it prefers time to wind up and make a run from about the 3furlong pole,this is entirely understandable if it is a horse with the physical handicaps that come with an athletic career that deteriorates rapidly with drugs instead of rest and a little guy on board intent on victory with a whip. A horse may lose it's speed by virtue of age and/or infirmity,the only "teaching" then is adapting to whatever style the horse needs to get back in the winners circle. Giving a horse confidence by running against the worst opposition a trainer can find will also help get a horse's mojo working. We shall keep our fingers crossed and watch our virtual stable mail for updates.