The drugged racehorse

[JJP]

So as handicappers, what do you look for to spot them? I have several criteria that make me suspicious. No I can't PROVE any horse was drugged, but lets not be naive here.

1. Step one: suspicious early betting action. Sometimes it hits you like a sledgehammer; the expected 8-1 shot who's is holding at 6-5 until it drifts to 7-2 late. Or it could be more subtle; the 10-1/12-1 expected odds horse who's holding at 7-2 until it drifts to 5-1/6-1 late. Connections often like to bet early to avoid getting shut out, and "value" players see great bargains late in the betting, unaware they're betting against a juiced horse, therefore the late odds rise. Of course, at small tracks, this may not be significant. But there are some tracks, (ElP, Haw and TP come to mind) where early money is a very powerful angle.

2. Sharp appearance in the paddock & post parade. On the toes, good attitude and ready to run. No signs of lethargy.

3. Improved early speed. If the horse already is a speed ball, they just carry it a lot further.

4. Often a rider switch to a better rider. It doesn't have to be Edgar Prado or JRV. It can be a move to a competent rider from a stiff.

5. Last and not least, a performance and speed figure that suggests something out of the norm.

If you suspect a horse fits these criteria and he runs big, mark him down as one to avoid next time out. There's a horse running tomorrow at a North American track who I believe qualifies. I will not name him but if you look at enough pps, you can figure it out.

[slotdirt]

I disagree on the first point at least, and definitely have issues with your other assertions. Take a horse, for instance, who might be part of a partnership or otherwise has many connections who all bet early. That'd take an 8-1 down to a 8-5 by first flash easily.

[JJP]

First off, you obviously can find exceptions. No, not all early money horses are drugged. Its just one aspect, IMO, of a candidate for juicing. But it is amazing how often the early heavy action horses outrun their expectations.

[Cajungator26]

Ramazutti COULD be a good example of #2 although I've never seen him up close before this past weekend.

[blackthroatedwind]

Personally I find the first post pretty irresponsible.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

lest we forget..this game is on the up and up....id like to believe that this is a rare thing not the norm..and fyi..nothing says that a enhanced performance it where this would happen if it did..id be more apt to think dulling a fav performance thus makeing the public choice an out of the money runner would be more beneficial...

[JJP]

Nobody is saying this happens every race, or every day. As a bettor there's a few instances where there's five minutes to post and you look at the board and just scratch your head. One horse is getting far more action than it should be. Not the obvious type, with great form, or the horse ridden by the leading rider or sent out by the track's leading trainer, or even the class dropper. And I'm not saying all "live" horses are drugged, either. Just that its a possible red flag.

[JJP]

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

lest we forget..this game is on the up and up....id like to believe that this is a rare thing not the norm..and fyi..nothing says that a enhanced performance it where this would happen if it did..id be more apt to think dulling a fav performance thus makeing the public choice an out of the money runner would be more beneficial...

There's many ways to lose a race without being drugged. And yes, I know somebody will bring up the incidents in KY a few years back where some horses breathing was obstructed to make them lose. I do agree with you that its NOT the norm. However, as a handicapper, we can't be naive that it never happens.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

Ramazutti COULD be a good example of #2 although I've never seen him up close before this past weekend.

Um, check your PP's honey, he is always on the lead, in fact, almost won a graded stakes at Gulfstream last year gate to wire at like 40/1

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Scav

Um, check your PP's honey, he is always on the lead, in fact, almost won a graded stakes at Gulfstream last year gate to wire at like 40/1

He looked really good in the paddock, Tom. I haven't seen him before, so I wasn't sure if that was typical for him or not (coat really shiny, dancing on his toes.) He hasn't won a race since '05 and he didn't run on top of the pace the whole time on Sunday.

[Thoroughbred Fan]

Drugged gamblers, what do you look for to spot them? I have several criteria that make me suspicious. No I can't PROVE any gambler was drugged, but lets not be naive here.

1. Step one: suspicious early betting action. Sometimes it hits you like a sledgehammer; they unexpectedly try to bet the derby in January. Some folks are delusional about pickingthe Derby winner early others are on drugs.

2. Shabby appearance in the betting line. Off balance, bad attitude and ready to to fall at any moment. Signs of lethary and confusion.

3. No speed. They are trying to read the book even tho they can't seem to focus on the small print. They are completely oblivious to me screaming from the back of the line.

4. Often switch betting strategy at the window. It doesn't have to be a better strategy. They bet horses you know are stiffs.

5. Last and not least, they ask you for money.

If you suspect a gambler fits these criteria, runs away from them and mark him down as one to avoid next time out. There are several at my local Magna crapped on track as we speak. I will not name them but if you take a whiff when you enter, you can figure it out.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Thoroughbred Fan

Drugged gamblers, what do you look for to spot them? I have several criteria that make me suspicious. No I can't PROVE any gambler was drugged, but lets not be naive here.

1. Step one: suspicious early betting action. Sometimes it hits you like a sledgehammer; they unexpectedly try to bet the derby in January. Some folks are delusional about pickingthe Derby winner early others are on drugs.

2. Shabby appearance in the betting line. Off balance, bad attitude and ready to to fall at any moment. Signs of lethary and confusion.

3. No speed. They are trying to read the book even tho they can't seem to focus on the small print. They are completely oblivious to me screaming from the back of the line.

4. Often switch betting strategy at the window. It doesn't have to be a better strategy. They bet horses you know are stiffs.

5. Last and not least, they ask you for money.

If you suspect a gambler fits these criteria, runs away from them and mark him down as one to avoid next time out. There are several at my local Magna crapped on track as we speak. I will not name them but if you take a whiff when you enter, you can figure it out.

This is a classic post

[Thoroughbred Fan]

Thanks!

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

This is a classic post

Just let us know when you've got one "ready to run" so we don't have to go through these visual observations by painting a small red "X" on his left hindquarters.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by philcski

Just let us know when you've got one "ready to run" so we don't have to go through these visual observations by painting a small red "X" on his left hindquarters.

I may 'drug' the one I have in on thursday at FG. lol! I guess I didn't give her enough juice the last few races.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I may 'drug' the one I have in on thursday at FG. lol! I guess I didn't give her enough juice the last few races.

I'll be sure to look for those tell-tale signs in the post parade.