As a followup, my post was indeed induced by Hard Spun's loss in the Southwest. I read about 400 posts, stories and articles, both before and after the race and only one person mentioned the highweight (the venerable John Piesen). I would not blame weight for the loss, there were many other negatives, but as Piesen is aware sophomores giving weight is never good.

I acknowledge weight is a minute handicapping factor or perhaps even moot in most thoroughbred races. However you seldom see Friedman or Brown not mention it when they analyze a race. The works of Beyer, Quinn, Davidowitz etc. all briefly mention weight and largely downplay its significance, yet for 3yo's in the spring it is vital. If you watch the 3yo's over the next sixty days and take weight into account you will cash more tickets.

Cakes, Drugs, et. al.: The races I mentioned may be terrible examples but in each case the tenet held, as it has for decades.

S.T. et al: I do try to make my posts esoteric and provocative feeling if you are not doing something different... I wish I wrote better. Thanks for the kind words. BBB