Say Good-bye to the Handicap?

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by Danzig188

can't help thinking tho that lava man would get a ton more respect if he lost by a neck while giving 25 pounds than he ever would toting 124, barely conceding weight and winning.

I wish that were true, but I don't think it's even close. People focus on the result, not the weight.

Originally Posted by randallscott35

SO, if Frankel would scratch he'd be throwing away a chance at a million purse. Let him in that situation. Racing secretaries should not be bullied by trainers and too many of them are wussing out.

What does the racing secretary win by risking Frankel's scratch? They lose Frankel's horse, and they are left with a field of 2nd stringers. The Grade I suddenly looks like a Grade 3 with little fan interest.

I agree with your goal, but it would take a longterm view by multiple racing secretaries, and that's not in the cards IMO.

--Dunbar

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Dunbar

I wish that were true, but I don't think it's even close. People focus on the result, not the weight.



What does the racing secretary win by risking Frankel's scratch? They lose Frankel's horse, and they are left with a field of 2nd stringers. The Grade I suddenly looks like a Grade 3 with little fan interest.

I agree with your goal, but it would take a longterm view by multiple racing secretaries, and that's not in the cards IMO.

--Dunbar

not so. i remember when congaree barely lost to milwaukee brew--all the praise was for congaree, who was giving weight. horse fans recognize a top performance when they see it, whether an ultimately winning or losing effort. look at all the praise seattle slew got, and continues to get, in his narrow loss to exceller! forego certainly didn't suffer any hits to his reputation when he lost-kelso or citation either.