| In the world of horse racing handicapping, the only | | | | start a horse than ever before. Now that times are |
| constant seems to be change. That is why we must | | | | tough financially, many owners want quick results and |
| keep asking, what will work today that didn't work | | | | will no longer wait for a trainer to slowly bring a horse |
| yesterday and what worked yesterday that no longer | | | | along. This may amount to more injuries and certainly |
| works? There are some well known truths in | | | | means that trainers are pushing horses harder and the |
| handicapping, call them rules, guidelines, whatever you | | | | good ones are also figuring out ways to win, even |
| wish, that must be questioned from time to time. | | | | without a race or two for a tightener. |
| One such rule is the 30 day rule of recent. That means | | | | Years ago, when a horse returned to racing, it was |
| that you should never bet on any horse who has not | | | | common knowledge that it would be given a race or |
| raced within the last 30 days. We all know that horses | | | | two to get back into shape, both mentally and |
| have form cycles and that, like any athletes, they must | | | | physically. But many top level trainers are now adept |
| compete and train on a regular basis to stay in shape. | | | | at winning with a horse on its first start, whether it is a |
| Years ago, when horses ran more races and used to | | | | maiden or old campaigner who is returning to the |
| race to stay in shape, that recency rule held up very | | | | races. |
| well. But things have changed over the years, and | | | | This means that you have to be aware of a trainer's |
| trainers now use workouts to condition horses a lot | | | | style and also know who owns the horse. Some |
| more than they used to. Horses probably race harder | | | | owners will still let a trainer have a few races to |
| in each race as well. One of the problems with horse | | | | condition a horse while others will not. Keep notes on |
| racing years ago was that you never knew which | | | | which owners have first time winners and you will |
| trainers were trying to win the race with a horse and | | | | soon see a pattern. While the 30 day rule still holds up |
| which ones were only using the race as a conditioner. | | | | with the patient owners and trainers, there are many |
| While that is still true today in some ways, more | | | | now who break that rule often and must be given |
| trainers are under pressure to win every time they | | | | special consideration. |