Talk about a true handicap race

[pweizer]

Beulah Park today has carded a 2-mile event in Race 7. Now that is unusual enough, but weight is the kicker. In this marathon, weight allowances are given in huge spreads from $22,000 claiming prices down to $4,000. Count on My Word, the high weight in the field, will carry 147 pounds while entered for the highest level, spotting the rest of the field anywhere from 28 to 36 pounds.

For those who say the concept of a handicap is gone, this is a very interesting concept.

Paul

[MisterB]

Originally Posted by pweizer

Beulah Park today has carded a 2-mile event in Race 7. Now that is unusual enough, but weight is the kicker. In this marathon, weight allowances are given in huge spreads from $22,000 claiming prices down to $4,000. Count on My Word, the high weight in the field, will carry 147 pounds while entered for the highest level, spotting the rest of the field anywhere from 28 to 36 pounds.

For those who say the concept of a handicap is gone, this is a very interesting concept.

Paul

They should all be arrested for this race. I assume their will be several horse vans available.

[whodey17]

They have done this type of race several times and it has been successful.

[ALostTexan]

Originally Posted by whodey17

They have done this type of race several times and it has been successful.

That is true. This is a very common race for them. Fun to watch, too, because they go round and round.

We used to have a 2-miler here in Tucson, before I watched the races at Rillito. But here is the kicker - it was on a 5/8 mile track. Most everyone was dizzy at the end of that one...

ALostTexan

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by MisterB

They should all be arrested for this race. I assume their will be several horse vans available.

It's not so bad. Many horses often carry that kind of weight in the mornings and live to tell about it. Many horses in the past, while not at 147 lbs, have raced with a lot more weight then they do now. I don't know how long u have been watching the game but I'll tell u that u would be surprised at some of the things these horses would be able to do........if asked or allowed to do them.

[MisterB]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

It's not so bad. Many horses often carry that kind of weight in the mornings and live to tell about it. Many horses in the past, while not at 147 lbs, have raced with a lot more weight then they do now. I don't know how long u have been watching the game but I'll tell u that u would be surprised at some of the things these horses would be able to do........if asked or allowed to do them.

I don't consider a horse gasping for air, their legs wobbling, walking home the last 1/4 mile, a fun race.

Heck, we can't even get the SO Called higher priced horses to run 6fl under 114.

[King Glorious]

I don't think it would be a fun race to watch but I don't think they are doing any danger to the horses.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I don't think it would be a fun race to watch but I don't think they are doing any danger to the horses.

People are morons. I weigh 175 pounds and when I ride the horse drags me around like a blowup doll. A 147 pound impost is nothing...

[ALostTexan]

Originally Posted by MisterB

I don't consider a horse gasping for air, their legs wobbling, walking home the last 1/4 mile, a fun race.

Heck, we can't even get the SO Called higher priced horses to run 6fl under 114.

If you have TVG, watch the race. This is a somewhat common race for these horses, and they condition for it. Well, at least as well as the trainers at Beulah can get them to train for it...

ALostTexan

[MisterB]

Originally Posted by ALostTexan

If you have TVG, watch the race. This is a somewhat common race for these horses, and they condition for it. Well, at least as well as the trainers at Beulah can get them to train for it...

ALostTexan

At least make it interesting, make them pull a Beer Wagon, or something

Hope they have time to set up for the next race

Originally Posted by MisterB

I don't consider a horse gasping for air, their legs wobbling, walking home the last 1/4 mile, a fun race.

Heck, we can't even get the SO Called higher priced horses to run 6fl under 114.

These races run on the turf are much less pounding on the horse. The horse does not hit with near as much impact because they cant run that fast. And you dont think horses dont wobble after a good tough 6f race...?

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by pgardn

These races run on the turf are much less pounding on the horse. The horse does not hit with near as much impact because they cant run that fast. And you dont think horses dont wobble after a good tough 6f race...?

Thank you, pgardn. Don't know about you, but the majority of horses I've seen after a race have been a bit wobbly afterwards... lol.

Case in point... Nobiz. So 'wobbly' that he was resting his right hind in the winners circle.

[MisterB]

Originally Posted by pgardn

These races run on the turf are much less pounding on the horse. The horse does not hit with near as much impact because they cant run that fast. And you dont think horses dont wobble after a good tough 6f race...?

Yea, like I said, can't even make 114 in 6fl, without huffing and puffing, it's a joke. Easy on the horse on the turf? OK, seems 2 miles anyway, is to tough to me.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by MisterB

They should all be arrested for this race. I assume their will be several horse vans available.

Actually there's much less chance of a breakdown in a 2-mile race than a 6F race. The impact on a horse's feet/legs/body of running :26 quarters is MUCH MUCH MUCH less than :22 quarters in a sprint.

I can't speak for the quality/health of the beasts running at Beulah, however.