Jones on HDG and weight

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by justindew

I do not think that word means what he thinks it means.

He also called the BCC the granddaddy of them all.

[Cannon Shell]

Welcome to horse racing 2012. Porter's attitude and thought process is not unique in the sport at the higher levels. Perhaps not necessarily always about weights but the effort to build creampuff filled resumes is what cheats the game from seeing great races and has weakened some of our traditionally top races. The idea that the best horses should be given some sort of advantage because they might draw a few more fans to the track to see another 5 horse coronation is incredibly stupid.

[GenuineRisk]

If they want a weight break so bad, there's an easy solution. Run against the boys.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

If they want a weight break so bad, there's an easy solution. Run against the boys.

exactly. she got 118 for the oaklawn 'cap. he never even mentioned that in his ricidulous diatribe. i think they were unhappy with her slower than expected work so they're skipping racing altogether in favor of making sure she's 100%. the weights are a bad but convenient excuse.

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by Danzig

exactly. she got 118 for the oaklawn 'cap. he never even mentioned that in his ricidulous diatribe. i think they were unhappy with her slower than expected work so they're skipping racing altogether in favor of making sure she's 100%. the weights are a bad but convenient excuse.

Heh. If someone posted that on her Facebook Page, I wonder how many seconds would elapse before the comment was deleted.

[freddymo]

This is some stupid stuff out of Porter/Jones. They have last years Woodward winner. I guess they want Zenyatta her.

[PeteMugg]

Curious what the purpose of a handicap is for racing. Is it to make all things even? Or is it like other sports, such as golf or bowling, only meant to make things more competitve? I've never given it much thought but I think the deck should still be stacked in favor of the better horses. They've earned it.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by PeteMugg

Curious what the purpose of a handicap is for racing. Is it to make all things even? Or is it like other sports, such as golf or bowling, only meant to make things more competitve? I've never given it much thought but I think the deck should still be stacked in favor of the better horses. They've earned it.

What sport gives the "better" athletes/teams an advantage? Handicaps are designed to give all participants an equal chance and if they choose not to accept the weight fine. But it is the attitude that they have been wronged somehow which is so laughable.

[PeteMugg]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

What sport gives the "better" athletes/teams an advantage? Handicaps are designed to give all participants an equal chance and if they choose not to accept the weight fine. But it is the attitude that they have been wronged somehow which is so laughable.

I'm not sure, but I think golf and bowling (local stuff, not professional) have handicap events. Your handicap allowance only gets you closer to even. you would still have to raise your game to win.

My point is I don't think a weight allowance should be applied to make all horses even, merely to close the gap. You're right, Porter's attitude is laughable. But hey, some say HDG is unworthy of horse of the year, then turn around and say they should carry so much more weight. Both can't be right, can they?

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by PeteMugg

Curious what the purpose of a handicap is for racing. Is it to make all things even? Or is it like other sports, such as golf or bowling, only meant to make things more competitve? I've never given it much thought but I think the deck should still be stacked in favor of the better horses. They've earned it.

i disagree. handicaps are to try to get fuller fields; as a way to encourage those with horses that are at a disadvantage to run in races-otherwise we'd have more walk-overs and smaller fields. everyone one in a while you get folks who throw little temper tantrums like porter yesterday. it's an attempt to sway the racing secretaries to concern themselves more with getting a star horse than they are in weighting a race correctly. it's not a slap at porter, but to give a lesser gap would be a slap in the face to every other owner who might enter a horse. porter is completely in the wrong here. he wants the best of both worlds, to win awards and accolades but not necessarily earn them.
what they should have said is based on hds's work, they're going to give her a little more time. it's far more plausible, and would make him appear less a petty tyrant and moron.
the 118 she'd have gotten to face boys also proves it wasn't the weight. he wants to win trophies this year based on last years' body of work. wonder where he got that idea from?