Curlin a 'go' for Foster

[ateamstupid]

Bluff: Called.. Asmussen says he's too ready to leave in the barn.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/95358.html

[hockey2315]

Assmussen seems to have a valid point about the weights I guess. . . if he really believes that weight matters. There's really no reason to have handicaps anymore now that we have exotic wagering. . .

Poor Curlin has to run with all that weight. I hope the gentle little flower doesn't get hurt.

[ELA]

I can see his point. To me, weight is an issue. Not neccessarily 1lb. or 2lb., but in this case, giving a lot of weight, yeah, I think it's an issue. According to Asmussen, he needs to race the horse. Of course he doesn't want the horse to get beat and this is not ideal, but often racing never is.

If the horse goes out and puts in a very good effort and gets beat a length or on the wire, the critics I am sure will be out in full form. It might be the start he needs, who knows. A first start back, after coming from Dubai, to me is always "not ideal" but he has to start back somewhere.

Eric

Yes the weight is a big deal. Heaven forbid the top horses have to face a little extra adversity.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

Assmussen seems to have a valid point about the weights I guess. . . if he really believes that weight matters. There's really no reason to have handicaps anymore now that we have exotic wagering. . .

?????

[hockey2315]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

?????

Better/more accomplished horses carry more weight to supposedly level the playing field, right? Partly to make wagering more interesting, correct?

[Danzig]

i thought they handicapped the race to get horses to enter. not like you'd get many takers vs curlin at level weights.

[3kings]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

Better/more accomplished horses carry more weight to supposedly level the playing field, right? Partly to make wagering more interesting, correct?

I believe the owner, trainer and Jockey benefit from where the horse finishes(the purse). And most would like to finish as high as possible, they earn more. That is why they object to high weights. As Danzig stated they add weight to level the playing field, so more people enter, because they think they can win.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

Better/more accomplished horses carry more weight to supposedly level the playing field, right? Partly to make wagering more interesting, correct?

I have never heard wagering being a factor in weight assignments.

[hockey2315]

I read that somewhere reputable. . . If I remember where I'll let you know.

[mik9872]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

Assmussen seems to have a valid point about the weights I guess. . . if he really believes that weight matters. There's really no reason to have handicaps anymore now that we have exotic wagering. . .

Where is this string of handicap races that Curlin is going to run in? Most major races for older horses are weight for age. The days of Kelso running in a series of handicp races constantly picking up weight are over. Does anyone think if Curlin carried 132 lbs. instead of 126 lbs. his odds would be different?

[CSC]

Originally Posted by mik9872

Where is this string of handicap races that Curlin is going to run in? Most major races for older horses are weight for age. The days of Kelso running in a series of handicp races constantly picking up weight are over. Does anyone think if Curlin carried 132 lbs. instead of 126 lbs. his odds would be different?

To me it's not how much weight a horse carries as much as how much he/she is spotting the field, in the TC races for instance they all carry the same weight w/weight allowance for females. But essentially they are all on a level palying field. To me the ultimate test for a horse is spotting large amounts of weight to other horses and being able to overcome the disadvantage. Ie. Forego to mention one horse that comes to mind.