WINNING WITH WORKOUTS
APRIL 1, 2005
In this regular weekly feature, Handicapper’s Report will present examples of
how to use workouts in your handicapping using actual results with horses
featured in our reports. To access the HR reports and to see the highlights of
our recent results, click here.
Today’s Topic: Pay attention to the gallop out in workouts
Sometimes a horse will not show everything in the confines of the official
workout. Particularly if you are assessing the chances of a first time starter
at a route distance, the gallop out will give a good indication of the total
fitness of the horse.
On March 5 at Santa Anita in the 3RD, a 1 1/16-mile race for maidens, there
was a first time starter named HAMMER BACK (Victory Gallop) who had the
following workout comment in his Grade B+ drill on January 30:
“Worked with Palace Rose. Hammer continues to improve in the morning and
easily put away his mate to get a final time of 59.2 while under a hand ride.
Went the final 1/4 in 24.2. A real nice rally here and galloped out as if he had
quite a bit more left…”
In the race, HAMMER BACK dug down and showed his fitness finishing second
while being pushed out into the middle of the track by the winner. He was
rightfully promoted to the win by the stewards at a juicy $47.