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Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS
They start with a running start during actual races as well. I remember when I was about 8 years old and I first tried to hand time a race ... I couldn't for the life of me figure out why my time kept coming back a few seconds slower every time. It took more than a few go's before I finally figured out races aren't timed from when the gates open.
I agree though ... reason #2 alone is king.
Imagine if you tried to make a sheet figure for a morning workout - you wouldn't know how wide they were on the turn - or if the excersize rider weighed 110lbs or 165lbs.
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While there is a runup in the afternoon it isnt the same deal. Sometimes you start slower from the pole than you would if the horse broke from the gate. Sometimes the opposite. I have seen horses with workouts listed as 1/2 mile run off long before the "official" timing starts.
As I sit here in the car watching the track here turn from tight to pretty heavy because of rain the conditions at 6:30 are going to be completely different than 8:30
The difference in riders is another that I should have put as well. There is a big difference between a 140 lb ex rider and a jockey.