[squash54]

Originally Posted by Nightfly

I watched the race live on our OTB station on cable...
which horse was it that made that really wide turn
and took his trip on the outside rail and almost closed
but ran out of room...who ever that jockey was gave
what seemed to be a decent horse a almost comical and bad ride?

Was a great race though...Mahler did go to the top as I thought
being in the 24th post (whew) but couldn't hold off the closers
and ran out of steam but if you see Mahler with a inside post
he's the one to beat...there will be no need for him to go to the
top he will take cover in the 4th postion and close in the straight way.
(I saw yesterdays "Racing Form" today) and yes he is a young horse
and was going against rising class.Efficent on paper was the one to beat.

I'm not sure which horse you are referring to as my attention was pretty much all on Mahler. However, I read in the newspaper that the winner, Efficient, moved out wide before commencing his run and the jockey was riding to instructions. Apparently the horse is reluctant to overtake between horses and this is why the jockey took him out wide to be certain this would not happen.
Anyway I ended up losing more than I won as certain members of my household get me to bet for them and then don't want to know about it when they lose
Not much fiscal damage done and the entertainment was worth the cost.
(As a bit of an animal softie, I wish they would do away with those whips in horse racing)

[Nightfly]

Originally Posted by squash54

(As a bit of an animal softie, I wish they would do away with those whips in horse racing)

I once asked a trainer at Belmont racetrack why they used the
whip and is it nescersary..He smiled at me and said he was a animal
lover as well and they treat and groom the horses extremely well.
He brought me to the paddock area and said to feel the muscle
on the hind legs of his next horse running...Massive to say the least.lol..
he said that the whip feels like a fly swatter to them and that they are
great athletes and caught up in the moment like we would be
and barely feel it the jockeys use them so they don't loose focus..
He also showed me that it does not leave a mark...(but we can hear
the snap all the way up in the stands)

But I'm still with you Squash ..not a very pleasant image for a animal lover.

[Dave C]

Sounds like I came close with Mahler, but I should have taken all of your advice and gone each way. If you want a really good fun race, next spring you want to try the English Grand National. It is my kind of race as nobody has a clue who is going to win, so even the favourite is usually ~8:1 (and he never wins). Always chuck about 3 or 4 each way bets down and rarely see anything back (this year being an exception). Think I will stick to gambling on the football,
Cheers,
Dave C