>Has anybody done an objective study on these trainers to see if they are doing (legal)things uniquely different from the competition?<

IMO....

1. Some trainers spot their horses better.

2. Some trainers aren't as financially pressured to run horses that have physical problems hoping to get any piece of the purse. They can give a horse some extra time and run when ready. I was a hotwalker (in what seems like another life) and I can tell you for certain (100%) that there are horses running in the claiming ranks that shouldn't even be on the track training let alone racing.

3. Success tends to generate the type of enthusiasm that leads to harder work that then leads to greater success.

4. Success tends to attract new owners with better horses.

Call me naive if you want, but I think the drug problem is somewhat overrated. There is almost certainly some abuse, but even a drugged horse has to run at its proper level, at the right distance, when fit enough to withstand the rigors of racing without breaking down etc...

You can give me all the drugs you want, you might make me a little faster runner, but I'm still not going to win any medals unless you put me against the right opponents, at the right distance, and when I am feeling well enough to perform. Some trainers don't even do that much.



Post Edited (09-17-04 22:27)