can you give me your rule for weight vs performance; i.e., how much does every extra pound of weight affect the performance of a horse (in lengths and TG #\'s). can you break it down into sprints vs routes. thx

Alydar in California: HP and I will handle this one. You go first, HP. A length is more important...

Alydar in California: One pound equals .20. Five pounds = one point. A point is worth about one length at five furlongs, two lengths at ten furlongs. There is a slide in between. Now I am going on vacation.

HP: Sure. Five pounds is worth a point, so I would guess that a pound is worth a fifth of a point. Please, no math tests.

I think there\'s an additional rule about the five pounds being worth a little more than a point at longer distances, but I\'ve forgotten precisely what it is and where it kicks in. I\'m sure there is something on this in the \'how to use\' section on the homepage.

There are several ways to interpet this as a practical matter in combination with other handicapping factors, and CERTAIN PEOPLE will have difficulty in addressing this WEIGHT RULE on its own, without SIMULTANEOULY attempting to address OTHER handicapping factors, however important they may be. But when talking about WEIGHT and WEIGHT ALONE, this is IT (emphasis added).

Hope this helps. HP

HP: By the way Aly, I\'m joshing. HP

Alydar in California: HP: I sure hope you\'re joshing about the \"additional rule.\"

Give us the \"HP rule\" about the first four pounds not counting. (I am joshing.)

HP: We better get off this. Michael has no idea... Regards, HP

Michael D.: haha  I see this has been discussed a few times in the past...... thx guys, appreciate the replies.

Mall: Since I was the one who started the debate, perhaps I can end it by referring you to the 2/25 1st post in the thread entitled \"Weight Redux\", which I was able to find because Alydar showed me how to use the search function. You\'ll appreciate the irony of that, as well as the civil nature of the above exchange, if you decide to take a look back at what was a thorough if at times rowdy discussion of the topic during the dark & cold days of winter.

HP: Well it was cold then. HP

TGJB: Yeah, I had a thermal striped shirt and a whistle. Meanwhile, you think my Nets can package Van Horn, Kittles, and a number one and get Sprewell?

magicnight: Good idea! But I don\'t think Knick management  is that brain-dead - they only seem that way.

Maybe that would fly if the Nets would also take Charlie Ward, Mark Jackson, Howard Eisley & Shandon Anderson - and agree to pay Allan Houston\'s salary.

The Nets should consider heart transplants. They could probably get a 2-for-1 deal.