Isn't this good???

Question

OK, I just read that Big Brown won Pole Position 1 (Ok, that's not the proper term - that's a NASCAR term!)

POST Position - DUH!!

So, he is in the first gate...on the rail.

Isn't that the BEST position to be in? What have I missed about that? I always thought that was the best! You aren't in the middle and can't get caught in a traffic jam. And of course, the rail is where they want to be as it's the shortest distance around the track.

RIGHT???

OK, so why did Dutrow say this? Am I misunderstanding him or misunderstanding the above information I have always thought?

<<<“I just can’t see a post getting him beat,” said trainer Rick Dutrow. “We’ll take it and go with it.>>>

Since he won from the 20th position, WAY outside on the Derby, and the middle post (6) at the Preakness where he did have to contend with the "traffic jam" - isn't this the best they could have hoped for?

If I am wrong, what IS the best Post/Gate number to draw???

Answer 1

This is Dutrow&#039;s point of view...

Big Brown is the best horse in the field.  He can beat all the other horses on pure talent.  The only thing that can get him beat is a bad trip... meaning if he runs into a lot of traffic.  The way to stay out of traffic is to be on the outside.  Despite his Derby trip being wide, it was a really easy trip because he didn&#039;t have to deal with horses around him... no one was in front of him holding him back, no one was beside him boxing him in.  He was on the outside and he had room to run whenever he was asked.  The problem with the inside post position is that you have a rail to your left and a bunch of horses to your right.  If Big Brown stumbles at the start or if someone outside him gets a really good break, he could be caught behind horses on the inside early in the race.  It&#039;s hard to get out of a spot like that.

That&#039;s what Dutrow is talking about.  That&#039;s why he&#039;s concerned.  He&#039;d rather have Big Brown on the outside out of trouble instead on on the inside where he could get stuck.

That&#039;s the big debate in horse racing... the inside post is good because it gives a ground saving trip, but the outside is good because it keeps you out of trouble.  Dutrow thinks his horse is good enough to handle the wide trip... his only concern is the traffic problems.

Answer 2

There isn&#039;t a blanket best position, it depends on the jockey, the horse and the race.  Some jockeys don&#039;t like the rail because it&#039;s easier to get boxed in.  

Like you said, Big Brown won his maiden from the inside.  He got out fast and stayed in front the whole time but it was only 1 1/16 miles.  

Most trainers don&#039;t like to do that in the Belmont because it&#039;s 1 1/2 miles and the horse can cook itself if it runs too fast early.  So his trainer and jockey will have to make a decision to either get him out front fast and risk tiring him, or settle him and risk getting boxed in.  Like the person above me said, if he has a bad break from the inside he could be in big trouble.    

You&#039;re right, Secretariat broke from the inside in the Belmont.  He usually broke slowly and settled toward the back.  In the Belmont his jockey was worried about getting trapped on the inside so he took him up front before the first turn.  Secretariat took off running and the rest is history.  

I don&#039;t want to burst your bubble, but Big Brown is no Secretariat.   When Big Brown breaks fast and sets the pace, he runs his final quarter the slowest.  Casino Drive breaks slow and runs his final quarter the fastest.  So if Big Brown has to get up front early like Secretariat, he&#039;s going to have trouble holding off Casino Drive in the stretch.

I think him breaking from the inside will make for a very exciting race.