Weights Aren't True!

[SoCalMan2]

Maybe I am a little naive, but I thought that the weight that was announced to the public is the weight that the horse carries in a race.  

Granted there have recently (and probably not so recently) been issues about monkey business, but I was just reading the DRF and an author cavalierly mentioned that the weight announced to the crowd does not include things like helmets and vests (and any other safety equipement used by jocks).  

Can weight of this equipment vary from Jockey to Jockey?  If it does, I sure feel like a chump as I put a lot of stock in weight and assume that the tracks announce the truth.  I do not begrudge jockeys safety equipment.  They should have as much as they want.  I just think those of us betting on them are entitled to know exactly what weight the horse is carrying.

Here is the link

http://www.drf.com/news/article/62787.html

[razzle]

scm2, I liked your post and article.  I wasn\'t aware of that either. A 5-10lb \"swing\" is significant to me.  Good luck with your ROTW from Moscow(Russians invent thoroughbredski!)

In a curious afterthought to that article, if , as the article says, the weight issue results from owners not wanting their horses to carry more than 130lbs, presumably for  health reasons, why are they so willing to permit drug experiments on them?  raz

[Michael D.]

socal,
re the ROTW...i don\'t think bad weather will scare you away, but there is a big storm heading towards the east coast. the monday baltimore forecast calls for snow/sleet/rain (in that order). the track will be a mess. i hope they even run the race...... on a different note, would you mind if i sent you over an email? if so, i can get it from TG. if not, no problem.



Post Edited (02-19-05 11:23)