Utilize training races and workout data to make your selection in a fi eld of unraced 2-year-olds.
electing winners in any horse race is a challenge, espe- cially if you are handicapping an event where the fi eld is dominated by a slew of 2-year-olds making their career debuts. Several informative tools are available to aid us, however, so we don’t have to rely on throwing darts at the program or using some other random luck-based method. Depending on the racing jurisdiction, there usually are mandatory regimens that must be followed in order to make a 2-year-old eligible to compete for the fi rst time. In Oklahoma, we have the benefi t of two options. Horse- men can use a two-workout plan, with at least one from the starting gate at a minimum distance of 220 yards. The other choice is a training race, or a schooling race, at 250 yards. At Remington Park, the training race is preferred. In the weeks leading up to the start of the season and continuing until its midway point, Remington Park conducts at least one day of training races each week with around 10 events to help horses prepare for pari-mutuel activity. Training races simulate a real betting event—the process is emulated to help familiarize horses with what will take place on race day. The result of the training race is not as important as how the horse handles the experience. The training races can be reviewed online, and a number of indicators—such as how he acted in the gate, how he ran, how much encouragement was required, and other race factors like time of day and wind—might help determine if a horse is a good pick. One example of picking a horse based on his training race performance is my selection of Rash For Cash to win the
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Watch Rash for Cash’s effort in the March 2, 2012 Oklahoma Paint Futurity Trial at Remington Park.
fourth trial of the 2012 Oklahoma Paint Futurity. I based my selection on both his February 8, 2012, training race and a subsequent workout used by trainer Dee Keener to prepare the gelding. The training race didn’t go so well for Rash For Cash.
He hopped slightly at the start and was immediately “pinballed”—bumped repeatedly from rivals on either side—in the opening strides. While in tight company, his rider pulled him out and dropped him down to an open area inside of runners near the rail. Rash For Cash found his stride and ran fourth by a nose under slight encouragement, handling the 250 yards in 14.13 seconds. What solidifi ed my choice of Rash For Cash was a 250- yard gate workout trainer Dee Keener gave his charge two weeks later. In that morning effort, Rash For Cash left the gate and covered the ground in 13.88 seconds. Allowed another chance and without confl ict, Rash For Cash posted a better time and gained more experience from the gate. Given his adaptation to a
rough, but effort-fi lled, train- ing race—followed by a sharp follow-up workout from the gate—Rash For Cash was worth picking in his trial. I thought he had talent and was possibly more race-ready than other rivals. He proved me right at 9-1 odds and paid $21.60 to win, posting the second-fastest qualifying time for the G1 Oklahoma Paint Futurity. The training races can help you fi nd winners, possi- bly with some nice payoffs. Watch the replays, either at the track or online, to maximize your advantage.
Dale Day is a special contributor for Paint Horse Racing. To comment on this column, email feedback@apha.com.
Click the video icon to watch Rash For Cash’s February 2012 training race.
PAINT HORSE RACING JANUARY 2013 7
By Dale Day, Remington Park announcer and handicapper