7/16 (DEL): Delaware H. (G2), Carpenter Jr. Mem. S., Sussex S.

[ShadowRoll]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

I'm not sure I follow.

Are you saying that you're not convinced a horse who is assigned say 121 is actually carrying 121lbs? He might be carrying 119lbs or 123lbs depending upon this or that?

Part of the problem with the state's "evidence" against Braulio Baeza, which prompted the judge to dismiss the 291-count indictment without even letting the case go to verdict, was that the scales used to weigh the jocks were never calibrated for weights above 115 lbs., and were therefore potentially inaccurate for any weight above that number (all the weights involved in the case were above 115 lbs.).

Another problem was that the prosecutors didn't take into account the fact that the "official" weights did not include the overgirth, helmet and safety vest, which would add to the actual weight carried by any given horse.

So, aside from proving that Spitzer instigated a high profile prosecution without bothering to understand the rules of racing, this suggests that the actual weight carried by a horse in a race is not only a bit more than the "official" weight, but that even taking into account the extra weight of the excluded equipment, the "official" weight might still be inaccurate.

As far as the weight assignments in the Del Cap, doesn't the closeness of the finish prove that they got it right? In any event, I count myself lucky to have seen it.