Digger - Why Entered in a $20,000 Claiming Race?

Question

Does anyone know why Rick Dutrow entered Digger, a horse who has won a number of Stakes Races, in a $20,000 claiming race? Of course he got claimed. I thought perhaps there was something wrong physically with Digger, but he won that claiming race and then he just won a starter handicap at Saratoga last week. Any ideas as to what Mr. Dutrow was thinking?

Answer 1

I never thought of Rick Dutrow as a very logical guy!

I have to wonder if it has something to do with where the horse was running before and if the rules were changing there.  Digger was an IEAH horse and they're going drug free.  Maybe Dutrow knows something about Digger... maybe he can't run without the drugs.  He could have sold for a higher price, but if he needed to be sure to dump the horse quickly.

Maybe it was a clever plan to confuse the public into believing that Big Brown is a better horse than Curlin! ??

Honestly, I don't know.

Answer 2

Because the walls keep closing in on Dutrow's "juice barn". This is classic, it's the same reason that you see harness horses win $5K claimers five starts in a row from the top barn and they DONT get claimed. The other locals KNOW! Now Digger for $20K isn't that big of a risk considering purses on the NYRA circuit, hence the claim. However, expect to see the inner dirt this winter!!!!!

Answer 3

Good question.  I'll put him in my virtual stable and see what happens to him next.  He may fall apart in the next few weeks.

Answer 4

I don't know the horse or trainer but if he is a stayer or being aimed towards staying races than maybe the trainer is trying to get the miles up in the horses legs as they call it.

Answer 5

A drop in class. Hmmm he's a sure bet, unless the odds go off @ 1/9 or 2/5 then that means he will get dumped. The Owners and Trainers are the crooks, so you have to think like them.