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ADDING PHYSICALITY TO YOUR DAILY HANDICAPPING VIA THE RACETRACK FEE---Part 12 10---WALKING SHORT (continued) I could never overemphasize the importance of walking correctly. It is the very first thing that I evaluate with every single horse the instant that they walk into the paddock from the detention barn. The paddock isn’t crowded with handicappers yet because they are still on the front apron cashing winners, buying tickets for the upcoming race, scratching their heads in total disbelief that they have to throw away another mutuel ticket, or mumbling something at their losing rider as he comes back to the unsaddling area. When horses come into the paddock from the detention barn they are much more relaxed. Less people + less noise = more relaxation. The more relaxed any runner is, the less of a hold his groom will have on him. The less of a hold he has, the more the runner is allowed to walk freely. Under these circumstances it is impossible to miss any runner that is walking short. And simply put, if a horse can’t walk properly there’s an extremely good chance that he won’t run properly in the upcoming race. Again, this isn’t Rocket Science, it’s just common sense! Think about the last time that you were sick or slightly injured somewhere in either of your legs (ankles, knee, muscles, toes, heel, arch, etc.). Most likely you didn’t walk the same way that you did when 100% healthy. When you were “walking short”, did you think that could you run three quarters of a mile and when not running fast enough, have somebody repeatedly whip you to get every once of energy out of your body? I just saw a lot of light bulbs go on out there! Spotting “short” horses via your racetrack feed is hard to master because you have to train your eyes and your brain to make an essential decision within 3 to 4 full steps if only offered that dreaded “5 second glimpse” in the post parade. For example, if the horse in question is accompanied by a lead pony as are most in the post parade and he appears to be walking short you will have a tough time making a proper assessment. Many times in the post parade the runners are on a very short lead chain by the outrider on the lead pony. This will actually force the runner to walk short! These horses are on very short lead chains because they are fractious and trying to break free, or have tons of energy and are ready to run. Again, if a horse is on a short chain it will actually forcehim to walk short! Sometimes if only offered that “5 second glimpse” in the post parade, you can’t make a decision because of the lead pony. Other times this is not a problem because the outrider has him on a long loose leather strap that does not restrict his walking in any way. The trick in the post parade is to see if the lead pony is restricting the forward movement of the runner in any way, shape, or form. After what seems to be eons, today’s simulcast market that includes all race tracks and satellite outlets, racebooks etc., the “physicality handicapper” that wagers via the satellite beam or on his personal computer hasfinally caught a long and deserved “break”. Good “racetrack feeds” from nearly all racetracks to include the minor leagues, now show the horses coming into the paddock while unsaddled, actually going under tack, strolling in the walking ring once saddled, with their lead ponies and riders in the post parade, during the pre-race warm-up period, and during their long walk to the starting gate in the last minute or two. While it surely isn’t the same as being there in person, you can easily see any horses walking short as well as many other essential physicality traits----if not all of them. We’ll complete exactly “how” a horse should walk in the next installment with “walking wide”. That will paint a vivid picture for every runner. Stay tuned! PART 13-----WALKING WIDE
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