Playing To Win

WORKOUTS

While in training, horses exercise daily. Generally, the daily routine consists primarily of gallops designed to maintain fitness and build endurance. On occasion, however, the horse is asked for more and a formal workout is run. Data relating to these "works" is listed at the bottom of his past performances. The actual times recorded can be deceiving, however, so the idea that a work was run may be more important than the actual time recorded. One work since his last race by a horse who is coming back "on schedule" is reassuring. It suggests that the horse came out of his previous race in good shape and didn't miss any training. Two works since his last race is very encouraging since they suggest that his trainer is trying to get him ready for a peak performance.

Not all workouts are the same. Long workouts are more encouraging than shorter ones and a three furlong work is almost meaningless. Most works are done breezing. That means that the horse ran completely on his own without urging. Horses that worked "handily"were given a hand ride. At four furlongs a breezing work is generally about a second slower that an equal work done handily. On occasion a horse will work from the gate which will add about a second to his time. Works around the "dogs" (barriers along the inside forcing the horse to run away from the rail) also will add about a second to the time recorded. The symbols used are: (b) breezing; (h) handily, (g) gate; (d) dogs. Some workouts are run at training tracks while others are run over the main strip. Training tracks are usually deeper so works at them should be expected to be slower.

The actual time of a work can be deceiving for many reasons. Among them are:

1. Works run late in the morning are slower than those run early since the track receives no periodic maintenance during the morning.
2. We don't know whether the exercise rider weighed 110 or 140 pounds.
3. Should the trainer want to "hide" a sharp horse's workout time he can add weights, order the rider to stay away from the rail, or have him take a tight hold.

Just because no works are shown does not necessarily mean that works were not run. Private training tracks are plentiful, and particularly at smaller tracks trainers have been known to deliberately misidentify a horse to the clockers.

Many (particularly better horses) are at their best following a "freshening" (about 30-60 days of rest) and a series of solid works. At least one should be at five furlongs (longer is better) and they should run at regular intervals. Six or seven days between works is acceptable but four or five days is better. One of the works should be quick.

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• -Life Cycle

101: Beginner Tips

• Intro
• Body Language
• Breeding
• Weight
• Workouts