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

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Trainers complain about the weights a lot.

Regardless - 2lbs still means a little something - especially at 10fs.

In a race that came down to basically a head-bob - all things being the same otherwise - of course it was a deciding factor in the outcome.

[Fulla Sheets]

Although it probably happened, I don't recall Hollendorfer complaining after the Cotillion when Blind Luck lost by a neck when giving HDG 10 lbs.

Regardless, if Jones wanted to prove he had the better filly, he should have beaten her when giving up weight, like BL did in last year's Delaware Oaks, when giving 6 lbs.

[dino]

How about just enjoying it for what it was, a great horse race.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by Fulla Sheets

Although it probably happened, I don't recall Hollendorfer complaining after the Cotillion when Blind Luck lost by a neck when giving HDG 10 lbs.

Regardless, if Jones wanted to prove he had the better filly, he should have beaten her when giving up weight, like BL did in last year's Delaware Oaks, when giving 6 lbs.

Even if we say weight makes a significant difference (by the way---the Alabama was run at equal weights), was the 2 lb spread fair or unfair?

Didn't Havre De Grace pummel Blind Luck by 3 lengths only a couple of starts back?

Maybe if Jones found a tougher assignment than the Obeah, where she toyed with her rivals, and didn't spout his mouth off about facing males and winning Horse of the Year afterwards, the racing secretary wouldn't have been so willing to kowtow to Hollendorfer.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Even if we say weight makes a significant difference (by the way---the Alabama was run at equal weights), was the 2 lb spread fair or unfair?

Didn't Havre De Grace pummel Blind Luck by 3 lengths only a couple of starts back?

Maybe if Jones found a tougher assignment than the Obeah, where she toyed with her rivals, and didn't spout his mouth off about facing males and winning Horse of the Year afterwards, the racing secretary wouldn't have been so willing to kowtow to Hollendorfer.

Looking at the form I probably would have made her give 1 pound not two. But like you I don't know how guys can say how great their horse is then cry when they have to give an extra pound. Maybe the Racing sec bought the hype you sold?

[Seattleallstar]

back to the Wild Spirit thing I believe it was an 8lb spread, but with Santos up the horse was overweight by a few lbs, but Jerkens went with Jose anyway. Wild Spirit has a perfect ground saving trip by Bailey but just lost at 10f to a filly who was better bred to go that far anyway

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

Regardless - 2lbs still means a little something - especially at 10fs.

In a race that came down to basically a head-bob - all things being the same otherwise - of course it was a deciding factor in the outcome.

It might make .0005% difference. There are always several things that can go differently when the finish is that close. To simply blame the 2 pounds makes you look like an idiot especially since after saddling thousands of horses I'm not convinced that the amounts carried are precise anyway.

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

after saddling thousands of horses I'm not convinced that the amounts carried are precise anyway.

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?

[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.

[Cannon Shell]

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?

yup

especially on really hot days