What qualifies as a good workout for a horse?

Question

I've been looking at workout times for some horses before I go bet tomorrow. I'm not a novice at horse racing or betting, but I'm really not sure what I'm looking for as far as times go. Is it the faster the better?

Answer 1

The most important consideration in workouts is consistency; the workouts should be in a coherent pattern that indicates the trainer has a plan.

In general, individual workouts are irrelevant. To verify that, keep track of the number of winners with bullet workouts that win their next races. The results are dismal.

The meaningful workouts follow a pattern, and are most significant in routes. For example, a three furlong, followed by a four furlong, followed by a five furlong is fairly stong evidence of a trainer building a horse's condition in anticipation of an all-out effort in a specific race. If that race is a mile or longer, look for a brisk (not super fast) six furlong workout.

The typical three and four furlong workouts are not predictive because most horses--including those at Charlestown and similar grade tracks--are able to run the distance. When those same horses are placed in six furlong races, they typically run well to the stretch, then fade badly.

A good source of information on trainer patterns and workout patterns can be found at:

http://ddssratings.com

which has extensive coverage of racing and handicapping related topics, all available free. One of the most useful is the "Pace Handicapping 101" introduction to the use of pace analysis in comparing contenders.

"Early pace" horses excel in workouts. They infrequently live up to the promise of the fast workouts.

Answer 2

yes the faster they are the better usually. You should research on the horse you want to bet on and see how fast the horse was in some of it's previous races. Also check out what kind of track they are racing on.

Answer 3

Workouts are tricky.   It is hard to gauge what a trainer's intentions are for a given workout, so I try not to put too much into one workout for the most part.  A steady pattern of moderate works can be just as good as a recent blazing workout.  A slow work may mean that the horse is not that talented, or it may mean that the trainer just wanted to get the horse on the track without pushing him.  On the other hand, some trainers, like Bob Baffert, work their horses very hard in the morning and fast workouts are just par for the course for that barn.  With Baffert in particular, I take fast works with a grain of salt.  I don't give them much credit, while I dock his horses in my mind that run pedestrian times in the a.m.

Still, very fast works--sub .35 for 3 furlongs, .46 and below for 4, .58 for 5, 1.11 for 6, and so on--always get my attention, particularly with maidens and lightly raced animals.  Horses that are consistently fast in the morning will eventually do well on the track, it seems to me, and horses that routinely work out every week or so and put up decent numbers (.36, .48-.49, .59-1.02, 1.12-1.15) with maybe one or two standout works are probably sound animals that figure to race well.  

I tend to think works are most valuable with unraced or lightly raced horses and for horses coming off of a layoff.  For horses that are regularly racing, the current race form is the best way to evaluate.  Another thing to look for is the distance of the race and the distance of the work.  If a maiden is going to try a route for a first time, I like to see at least one long-7 furlong or greater-work so that I can feel assured that the animal is training for that particular race.  Hopefully this helps and is not just more confusing.

Answer 4

on a short race yes but i dont take mush stock in work out times. there is no crowd and no competition. I always look back after a day at the track and see if there was like a comon number i missed but if you do your home work you will be ok. I think its more how a horse breaks then how fast his numbers are in a work out. good luck hope you win lots of money!

Answer 5

Time is for convicts to worry about. That is a very well known and spoken saying on the track, for good reason.

Now from a horse players point of view, it can be used loosely as a gauge to see if any given horse is coming into a race with a good workout(comparing it to the other workouts of the same day) or a fair one or a crummy one. That is as far as I would go with it. And yeah 12's are good, but it is more that the horse is running a bit faster at the end of the workout, than at the beginning, ex. 3/8 workout 12.3 first 1/8 12.1 and 11.2 for the last 1/8, his total time is 36.1 this is a strong workout, but if it was opposite it would not be as good of a workout, even though it would be the same time. This is what you should look at more than the total time in itself. Unless your betting QUARTER HORSES.

And also there is very good info in Eddies answer, I agree with much of it and also in 1963s answer.

Just don't forget the saying that I started my answer with.

Answer 6

Don't let there early slowness fool you, there are a lot of come-from-behind horses that can find some amazing gears.

Answer 7

the great trainer"CHARLIE WHITTINGHAM" SAID" KEEP

IT AT 12 SEC. SPLITS....

3 FUR.....36-

4 FUR.....48-

5 FUR.....100-

6 FUR.....112-

7 FUR.....124-

1 MILE.....136-

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G..MEANS HORSE CAME OUT OF GATE....

H..MEANS HORSE WAS BEING URGED...

D. MEANS ON MAIN TRACK/DRIVING...BEING HIT W/WHIP

B..MEANS HORSE WAS HAND RIDDEN/NO WHIP USED

D..MEANS TURF WORK OUT/AROUND BARRIERS/WIDE

WORK-OUT......

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GOOD LUCK AND GOOD RACING!!!