changes in the claiming game?

[Danzig]

no system is full proof. that being said, all systems can be improved, claiming would definitely be one of those.

i think a claim should be invalid if a horse fails to finish, or breaks down. that happens--who the hell wants to pay out money for a horse that sadly had to be put down? yet it happens. if there's any insurance at all on a horse who just got claimed, but is put down, who gets any payout? after all, the claimer hasn't paid on any policy. that part i feel definitely needs changing.
also, it would be nice if a claim wasn't put thru unless a horse was passed by a vet--a NEUTRAL vet. obviously if you put in a claim for a horse and he stinks up the track you wouldn't want the claimer to encourage his vet to find something so as to void the claim.

also, re this auction idea. how long after the race would you wait? some horses look ok immediately after a race, but once cooled down are lamer than the day is long. and look lame til warmed up.

presumably a horse has to be racing fit to race--but we're not that naive. but i know i wouldn't want to claim a horse and then find he's not fit for even the lowest level of racing.