General Horse Racing Questions

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by richard burch

Why do some tracks never have coupled entries IE 1 / 1A, 2 / 2B etc.? I never see them in Cali.

Jurisdictions increasingly began eliminating conditions of entries to increase number of betting interests. Common ownership still generates entries in many states yet. Stakes were the first to do it and then it spread to other levels. Despite the concerns, it's much better for bettors.

Originally Posted by richard burch

Do jockeys have to be at a maximum weight on race day? I have seen a rider listed at 116 and 124 on the same day. I assume he has to show up for the lighter weight and then they can use a pad for the extra.

Yes and no. They can be overweight up to a certain level (+4#). For those that come in under, weights, are added to reach handicap imposts. A school of thought says you're better off with live weight ~ a jock at the actual number ~ than dead weight.

Originally Posted by richard burch

Can you have a double objection, one rider against another?

Absolutely.. Andy brought the one at Saratoga this summer up on ATR yesterday in fact. Plus, Jimmy Baker was on too and his Jeff Cup winner Spectacular Gem was involved in a multiple rider/multiple objection incident in the Caesar's at Indiana last time. Here's the chart call:

SPECTACULAR GEM dueled early outside of a foe, bid at the half to be clear, bore out close to the wire and bumped foes. Following objections by the riders of CRAFTY DADDY and CLINT MAROON (GB), SPECTACULAR GEM was disqualified and placed fourth. CORRUZE stalked the pace inside, shifted five wide at the eighth pole, shifted a path farther late, then came in to tighten up and bump foes late. The Stewards dismissed claims by the riders of the aforementioned runners against him.