Curlin a 'go' for Foster
 

Bluff: Called.. Asmussen says he's too ready to leave in the barn.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/95358.html

Assmussen seems to have a valid point about the weights I guess. . . if he really believes that weight matters. There's really no reason to have handicaps anymore now that we have exotic wagering. . .

Poor Curlin has to run with all that weight. I hope the gentle little flower doesn't get hurt.

?????

I can see his point. To me, weight is an issue. Not neccessarily 1lb. or 2lb., but in this case, giving a lot of weight, yeah, I think it's an issue. According to Asmussen, he needs to race the horse. Of course he doesn't want the horse to get beat and this is not ideal, but often racing never is.

If the horse goes out and puts in a very good effort and gets beat a length or on the wire, the critics I am sure will be out in full form. It might be the start he needs, who knows. A first start back, after coming from Dubai, to me is always "not ideal" but he has to start back somewhere.

Eric

Yes the weight is a big deal. Heaven forbid the top horses have to face a little extra adversity. :rolleyes:

Better/more accomplished horses carry more weight to supposedly level the playing field, right? Partly to make wagering more interesting, correct?

i thought they handicapped the race to get horses to enter. not like you'd get many takers vs curlin at level weights.

I believe the owner, trainer and Jockey benefit from where the horse finishes(the purse). And most would like to finish as high as possible, they earn more. That is why they object to high weights. As Danzig stated they add weight to level the playing field, so more people enter, because they think they can win.

I have never heard wagering being a factor in weight assignments.

I read that somewhere reputable. . . If I remember where I'll let you know.

It may have been from something Crist said. . . maybe on his blog.

When they are trying to weigh the horses, they are trying to put an estimate on what makes them ALL even, and then they run the race, but that is the secretary's best guess at making them all hit the line together

Or

I could be completely wrong

nope, you're right. that's how things used to be. now, it's keep the star under 130, and then try to give low weights to the others--but how low can you really go? i'd imagine some with low imposts will end up in the overweight section of the 'late changes' that day.

i just find it a bit funny that a horse can carry 126 when barely three, but a year later someone bitches about 2 more pounds. it's ridiculous.

I understand that. . .

Rather than just adding weight, the course handicapper could make the field more level with the morning line. It seems to me that you would want to do anything you could to get a horse like Curlin to run at your track. Not do something to try to discourage him. If other horses don't want to challenge him, then get off the porch!

What do you mean?

You are dead ass right, it has turned into a joke though on this side of the pond.

I just saying there's more than one way to skin a cat. I understand wanting to add weight to make the race (theoretically) more on an even level, but I just think there should be a reasonable limit. Use the odds to make the playing field more level. I realize that doesn't necessarly help the other horses per se, but when you wash it all down it's fair. IMO