8/2 (MNR): West Virginia Derby (Gr. III)

[Danzig]

i didn't realize there were that many jocks who could make 111 at one track.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

There will be some overweights in that race - don't worry.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

There will be some overweights in that race - don't worry.

i figured there would be.
tis a shame that horses in a gr3 are given such light imposts tho. seems kinda crazy.
all in all, not a bad field tho. beats watching 3-5 horse fields.

[VOL JACK]

These weights that are gave out at these bush league tracks when they they have their " big day" are complete BS.

When are the racing secs. going to realize most these guys cant weigh in under 116. All it does is put the owner and trainer in a bad spot because their jock weighs more than a 2nd grader.

[Quiet Chris]

This is a very solid field for a grade 3. People just think it is better than a grade 3 because of the money involved.

What do you expect though in a year when basically every 3yr old out there is a grade 3 caliber horse.

A 95-100 beyer will win this race, but it will also win the Haskell or Travers.

[Pedigree Ann]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i figured there would be.
tis a shame that horses in a gr3 are given such light imposts tho. seems kinda crazy.
all in all, not a bad field tho. beats watching 3-5 horse fields.

Is this a handicap? Unlikely. This type of race is usually under allowance conditions - so much weight allowed off of the scale for not having won a race worth thus and such. Low weights means these horses haven't accomplished much yet.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Pedigree Ann

Is this a handicap? Unlikely. This type of race is usually under allowance conditions - so much weight allowed off of the scale for not having won a race worth thus and such. Low weights means these horses haven't accomplished much yet.

yes, i understand all that. i just think it's a shame a grade three has so many listed at such a light weight. these are supposed to be the better horses, shouldn't they be able to carry more than 111?

[3kings]

Originally Posted by Danzig

yes, i understand all that. i just think it's a shame a grade three has so many listed at such a light weight. these are supposed to be the better horses, shouldn't they be able to carry more than 111?

I think they assign such light weight so not to discourage owners & horseman from entering. This along with 750K helps them get a bigger field and better horses. This is especially true if they are looking at other similar races this summer, PA derby etc....

[Danzig]

by the same token, having lightweight horses (literally and figuratively) can jeopardize their graded status in future. i think you'd be better off drawing the top horses, even with a small field-rather than having a no name carrying feather weight manage a surprise-and have the graded stakes committee penalize your premiere race as a result.

[hi_im_god]

Originally Posted by Pedigree Ann

Is this a handicap? Unlikely. This type of race is usually under allowance conditions - so much weight allowed off of the scale for not having won a race worth thus and such. Low weights means these horses haven't accomplished much yet.

not that anyone takes handicaps seriously anyway.

look at zenyatta at del mar today. wins a grade 1 last race and runs back in a grade 2. wouldn't that be worth at least 1 lb?