High altitude racing vs. sea-level racing share your exper.

[Jorge]

High altitude racing vs. sea-level racing share your experiences.

It is almost impossible for a sea-level bred racehorse to beat
a high-altitude bred racehorse on a high altitude racetrack.

That's the reason why in high altitude racetracks the locals
almost always end up beating their sea-level rivals.

The only comparison I can cite are the results from the
Caribbean International Stakes but I would like to know
if within the Mainland USA there are other examples at hand
that can be cited.

Thank you so much for your participation.

[kimberley mine]

Hi Jorge,

South Africa would be a good place to look. Cape Town and Durban are at sea level. Johannesburg is a high-altitude city. Those are the three major racing jurisdictions in the country.

[Jorge]

Hi Jorge,

South Africa would be a good place to look. Cape Town and Durban are at sea level. Johannesburg is a high-altitude city. Those are the three major racing jurisdictions in the country.

Hi "kimberley mine", can you cite historical examples where sea-level excellent horses from that jurisdiction were hopelessly defeated by less-than excellent high-altitude rivals?

The "Clasico del Caribe" is an event that is annually rotated among the participating countries. When sea level champions goes to high altitude to compete against their high altitude rivals, the outcome is practically a giveaway in favor of the high-altitude horses. When the event is run at sea-level the outcome is more or less equitative and sea-level horses show better performances, even winning.
That is the reason for this query.

Thanks in advance for your valuable comments.

[madelyn]

Sunland Park NM? There are some who proposed that Mine That Bird came down from Sunland Park (elevation 3,789 ft, about 3/4 mile) and took the KY Derby from all those lowland horses. It is kind of telling that once at sea level, he never regained the form that won him the roses, so there might be something to it. There are trainers who use High Altitude Simulation chambers to train; it's a sealed stall with a treadmil inside and the horse walks/jogs through decreasing oxygen supply.

[Jorge]

Sunland Park NM? There are some who proposed that Mine That Bird came down from Sunland Park (elevation 3,789 ft, about 3/4 mile) and took the KY Derby from all those lowland horses. It is kind of telling that once at sea level, he never regained the form that won him the roses, so there might be something to it. There are trainers who use High Altitude Simulation chambers to train; it's a sealed stall with a treadmil inside and the horse walks/jogs through decreasing oxygen supply.

Madelyn, I am under the impression that you have struck gold here. That is, to add the altitude
factor previous to running the Kentucky Derby, alongside other more known variables such as
the size of the heart, size of foot, etc.

01. The effect of high altitude of prep races previous to the Kentucky Derby.
02. Size of the heart (X factor)
03. Size of foot of the horse. (makes me remember about the huge foot of Giacomo)
04. Depth of Churchill Downs' dirt.
05. First time at the distance of 10 furlongs.
06. Weight carrying bones.

That factor (number 01.) has been overseen for many years, but believe me, it only takes to
closely examine the historical results of the "Clasico del Caribe" to acknowledge its huge importance.
Hey, by the way, do you remember a humble horse who once descended from high altitude to compete in the Kentucky Derby named Canonero (or Cañonero)? Food for thought.

[Georgerz]

Just as an anecdotal piece: in 1969 the Clasico Internacional del Caribe was run in Mexico City (Hipodromo de las Americas), which is a high altitude city, and the first three were Guadamur (Mex), Gumiel (Mex) and Farsalia (Col), all of them having raced at high altitude. Farsalia raced previously at Hipodromo de Techo in Bogota, which is at 2,600 meters above sea level (about 8,500 feet).

[Jorge]

Puerto Rico's representative that year was a proven very solid late rushing
filly, who had just peaked in her previous race by winning against the best
older horses of her country in a decent time. So everyone thought she was
a very legitimate contender. But to no avail! Mexico's very high altitude proved
too much for Las Mareas and she ended up in a tiring position (7th, I guess).

LAS MAREAS (bay filly 1966) http://www.pedigreequery.com/las+mareas

The following years, the event was won by several Mexican horses in a consecutive
streak, and organizers became convinced that a change of altitude was absolutely
necessary. The third place finisher of 1969 (Farsalia) was a gray filly longshot who
surprised many people, but again, the high altitude played a definitive lift-up role
here.

In synthesis, the "Clasico del Caribe" can be considered a textbook in high
altitude/sea level horse racing.

Would also appreciate to read from readers from other "high-altitude" zones.

[Jorge]

Here is the finishing order of the 1969 "Clasico del Caribe":
(Note the clear advantage in favor of the horses coming from
high altitude and how poorly the sea-level aspirants arrived.)

01. Guadamur (Mex.-high altitude)
02. Gumiel (Mex.-high altitude)
03. Farsalia (Col.-high altitude)
04. Arrecife (Ven.-high altitude)
05. Quimera (Pan.-sea level)
06. Soneto II (Ven.-high altitude)
07. Las Mareas (PR-sea level)
08. Tropel (Col.-high altitude)
09. Melódico (Pan.-sea level)
10. Fiordo (Mex.-high altitude)
11. Principe Azul (D.R.-sea level)
12. Yamasa (D.R.-sea level)

[Jorge]

The next occasion when the "Clasico del Caribe" was run
on a high altitude country was in Venezuela, in 1971.
Again, practically all of the horses coming from high altitude
countries dominated the race. The finish order was:

01. Nacozareno (Mex.-high altitude)
02. Sicodelico (Pan.-sea level)
03. Petronio (Ven.-high altitude)
04. Lavandera (Ven.-high altitude)
05. Oman (Ven.-high altitude)
06. Crown Jewel (Mex.-high altitude)
07. M-Uno (Mex.-high altitude)
08. Buen Amigo (Ven.-high altitude)
09. Jovencito (Pan.-sea level)
10. Magaly (Pan.-sea level)
10. Querendon (P.R.-sea level)
11. Pin-Pin (P.R.-sea level)

Here is the 1975 finishing order. It was run at Ven.
Again the high altitude horses fully dominated:

01. Teziutlan (Mex.-high altitude)
02. Victorioso (Ven.-high altitude)
03. Trampa (Ven. -high altitude)
04. El Principe (P.R.-sea level)
05. Guasipati (Ven.-high altitude)
06. Papi (Ven.-high altitude)
07. Mulligan (Pan.-sea level)
08. Tudor Wit (Jam.- sea level)
09. Orion (Pan.-sea level)
10. Kryterion (Jam.-sea level)
11. Papelillo (P.R.-sea level)
12. More Victory (Mex. -high altitude)

Here is the 1976 finishing order. It was run at Ven.
Again, more than ever, the high altitude horses fully dominated:

01. Voy Por Uno (Mex.-high altitude)
02. Barullero (Mex.-high altitude)
03. Garlopo (Mex.-high altitude)
04. Crudillo (Mex.-high altitude).
05. Desahuciada (Pan.-sea level)
06. Melvin U. (P.R.-sea level)
07. No Se (P.R.-sea level)

[Jorge]

Table “A”

Note that out of the 33 editions of the race that have been raced in sea-level countries,
the horses coming from high altitude countries have barely triumphed in just 12 editions (36. %).
This is far inferior to the 21 victories (63.%) achieved by the sea-level winning representatives
when running at sea-level racetracks .

1966_Victoreado (Ven.) --- Race was run in P.R. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
1968_Wiso G (P.R.) --- Race was run in P.R. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
1970_Hashin (Mex.) --- Race was run in Pan. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
1973_Montecarlo (Pan.) --- Race was run in Pan. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
1974_Barremina (Pan.) --- Race was run in P.R. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
1977_Huracan Si (Ven.) --- Race was run in P.R. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
1978_Ezgarta (Mex.) --- Race was run in P.R. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
1981_El Comico (Pan.) --- Race was run in P.R. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
1982_Guaybanex (P.R.) --- Race was run in P.R. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
1983_Verset Dancer (P.R.) --- Race was run in P.R. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
1984_Galilea (Col.) --- Race was run in Pan. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
1987_Rayo Laser (Ven.) --- Race was run in P.R. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
1989_Pan De Los Pobres (Pan.) --- Race was run in P.R. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
1991_Vuelve Candy B (P.R.) --- Race was run in P.R. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
1992_Leonardo (Pan.) --- Race was run in P.R. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
1993_Verset’s Jet (P.R.) --- Race was run in P.R. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
1994_El Gran Nano (P.R.) --- Race was run in P.R. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
1995_Locochon (Mex.) --- Race was run in D.R. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
1996_Angelical (Pan.) --- Race was run in P.R. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
1998_Evaristo (Pan.) --- Race was run in Trin.-Tob. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
1999_Cortisol (Pan.) --- Race was run in Pan. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
2000_My Own Business (Ven.) --- Race was run in P.R. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
2001_Alexia (Pan.) --- Race was run in P.R. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
2002_Gran Abuelo (Ven.) --- Race was run in P.R. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
2003_Cafajestre (Pan.) --- Race was run in P.R. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
2004_Spago (Pan.) --- Race was run in P.R. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
2005_Borrascoso (P.R.) --- Race was run in P.R. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
2006_Ay Papa (Pan.) --- Race was run in P.R. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
2007_Soy Conquistador (P.R. ) --- Race was run in P.R. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
2008_Sicotico (Dom. Rep.) --- Race was run in P.R. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
2009_Bambera (Ven.) --- Race was run in P.R. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
2011_Heisenberg (Ven.) --- Race was run in Pan. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
2012_El De Chine (Ven.) --- Race was run in P.R. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]


Table “B”

Now, let’s examine the disproportionate winning results that are produced in favor of high-altitude
representatives when the event is run at high altitude countries.
Note that out of the 12 editions of the race that have been raced in high-altitude countries,
the representatives of such countries have overwhelmingly triumphed in 11 occasions (91.6 % percent) with only one defeat (1985). The evidence speaks for itself!:

1967_El Comanche (Mex) --- Race was run in Ven. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
1969_Guadamur (Mex) --- Race was run in Mex. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
1971_Nacozareno (Mex)--- Race was run in Ven. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
1975_Teziutlan (Mex) --- Race was run in Ven. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
1976_Voy Por Uno (Mex)--- Race was run in Ven. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
1980_Pikotazo (Mex) --- Race was run in Ven. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
1985_Patilargo (Pan) --- Race was run in Ven. [unbiased by altitude’s disadvantage]
1986_Benemerito (Ven) --- Race was run in Mex. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
1988_Don Gabriel (Mex) --- Race was run in Mex. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
1990_Don Fabian (Ven) --- Race was run in Ven. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
1997_Aligheri (Ven) --- Race was run in Ven. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]
2010_Water Jet (Ven) --- Race was run in Ven. [high-altitude’s advantage for winner]

Reference: http://www.clasicocaribe.org/HISTORIA/G ... adores.htm