Curlin a 'go' for Foster

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

How do you use the odds to make the playing field more even?

exactly what i want to know.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Oaklawnfan

I just saying there's more than one way to skin a cat. I understand wanting to add weight to make the race (theoretically) more on an even level, but I just think there should be a reasonable limit. Use the odds to make the playing field more level. I realize that doesn't necessarly help the other horses per se, but when you wash it all down it's fair. IMO

Still not understanding you.

[zippyneedsawin]

Originally Posted by Oaklawnfan

I just saying there's more than one way to skin a cat. I understand wanting to add weight to make the race (theoretically) more on an even level, but I just think there should be a reasonable limit. Use the odds to make the playing field more level. I realize that doesn't necessarly help the other horses per se, but when you wash it all down it's fair. IMO

Uh oh, I hear the PETA people coming after you...

[Oaklawnfan]

Sorry, I should have expanded on my comment. First let me remove my comment about the cat. Next really my comment is based soley on the wagering aspect rather than running the actual race itself. I promise to be more global in future posts.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by Scav

When they are trying to weigh the horses, they are trying to put an estimate on what makes them ALL even, and then they run the race, but that is the secretary's best guess at making them all hit the line together

Or

I could be completely wrong

no you are completely correct.

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by Oaklawnfan

Sorry, I should have expanded on my comment. First let me remove my comment about the cat. Next really my comment is based soley on the wagering aspect rather than running the actual race itself. I promise to be more global in future posts.

The wagering aspect doesn't make any horse in the race more likely to win, though. Curlin could go off at 1,000-1 odds or 1-1,000 odds and it won't make a ticky's worth of difference how he runs his race. The weight assignments are to give each of the horses a better shot at winning. All the odds are is the betting public's opinion of who is going to win.

I bet Albarado is thinking, "Score! I get to eat lunch!"

[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.