Journeyman Handicapper Question Bel 8th

[the_fat_man]

If you watch races, it can get very frustrating watching jocks that hurt rather than aid the horse. Samyn is just about the worst at trying to rate (restrain) a horse. Other jocks, Desormeaux would be the perfect example, are able to rate while still allowing the horse to fully stride out. The horse is striding out, just not at the speed it wants to. In this way, the horse is restrained YET comfortable/relaxed.

Samyn restrains a horse to the extent that it's unable to stride out completely/comfortably. He has such a tight hold on the horse's head that it's a strain for the horse to move and it uses EXTRA energy in doing so. A good example of this would be Emma's Candy, running tomorrow. In her last race, the filly is not only wide but she's basically JUMPING on the backstretch as she tries to get a full stride out. As a result, though she puts in a decent run in the stretch, she collapses late. Samyn needs to discover a looser rein. Give the horse enough of its head to have a chance to run when it counts.