Two Turns--the significance?

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Toccet02
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Two Turns--the significance?

Postby Toccet02 » Thu Jan 28, 2016 1:40 pm

This is one of those racing terms that everybody mentions "he did GOOD goin' round two turns for the first time", but no one explains.
It's not just another way of describing a route . . .what's the deal? Is it the need to be in good position so as to avoid losing ground? The strain on the inside leg? What are the factors that make it important?

Thanks
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TJ
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Re: Two Turns--the significance?

Postby TJ » Fri Jan 29, 2016 3:52 pm

Toccet02 wrote:This is one of those racing terms that everybody mentions "he did GOOD goin' round two turns for the first time", but no one explains.
It's not just another way of describing a route . . .what's the deal? Is it the need to be in good position so as to avoid losing ground? The strain on the inside leg? What are the factors that make it important?

Thanks

Hi Toccet,
Two turn route races are found in mile and mile and an eighth size tracks.....those mile and an eight size ovals that have chutes many times have one turn miles as does GP and Aqueduct's main track. Belmont Park on the other hand is a mile and a half oval and run distances up to 1 1/8th miles around 1 turn from the chute. The two turn (1 1/4 is a partial 2 turns) races run there are at a distance of 1 3/8 to 1 1/2 miles or more.
In many cases the important factors to negotiate two turns is breeding and soundness. Other factors include track bias, lone speed and pace of the race. Switching leads is also important, but once again soundness plays a roll. Some horses may have a soundness issue in one leg or another, which could compromise a horses chances to handle two turns, possibly feeling pain when switching leads to the bad leg and stopping, even if bred to go long. Two turns over a mile oval is a good place to try a horse who has little speed because the fractions are slower going around tight turns. So said horse could find themselves closer to the pace then in a one turn sprint....at which point, if the horse is bred to go long, the two turns may find the horse closer when entering the final turn and the speed could be looking to retire? There are a other factors, but you can get an idea from the few I've mentioned. TJ

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Re: Two Turns--the significance?

Postby JimP » Sat Jan 30, 2016 5:30 am

Nice explanation TJ.
JimP
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Toccet02
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Re: Two Turns--the significance?

Postby Toccet02 » Sat Jan 30, 2016 12:44 pm

Yes, thanks TJ!
All shouting does is make you lose your voice.

----Arrested Development

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madelyn
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Re: Two Turns--the significance?

Postby madelyn » Sat Jan 30, 2016 4:46 pm

Yes there is also the psychology of the horse. My big stubborn horse, Eight to the Bar, needed a mile to unfold yet hed it firmly fixed in his pea brain that he was done after one turn. It took the one-turn mile at Ellis Park to get him on the board and eventually he was cashing checks going two turns.
So Run for the Roses, as fast as you can.....