I love Maiden Claimers

[jhilden]

I wish I posted this last night when I made the discovery, would not have been an obvius redboard. I was handicapping today’s card at Philly Park and came across this nugget in the 5th race, a Maiden Claiming Race for a tag of $25k for 3yr fillies at 6f.

There were two FTS that immediately caught my eye:

#2 Cammey’s Choice: had a FT=67, a PED =468 and a Wk=81.
#6 Elegant Trip: FT=60, PED=507, Wk=79

Now, in the race there was a coupled entry which had two good horses and the 1A looked to score today on paper – it did win a race but was DQ’d. One was making its third start, the second its fourth –which was the money for all three starts. Although they appeared to be competitive, they both seemed to not have enough to finish..

As PT neared, I was very surprised to see the #2 at 25-1 and the #6 at 15-1. Clearly the public did not have a good opinion of these FTS. Thanks to HTR’s numbers, I had enough information to back these two FTSs without even being nervous. Day’s like this make you think about quitting your day job - one can dream:rolleyes: . But since using HTR, Maiden Claimers have really kept me in the black –especially at PHA.

[DanG]

since using HTR, Maiden Claimers have really kept me in the black –especially at PHA.
Jhilden,

Truer words were never spoken.

Since HTR (on dirt) MCL are my best class followed by straight claimers. Pre-HTR they were 3rd just ahead of MSW.

Some guy named Ken Massa (beginner I think ;) ) also speaks very fondly of MCL. Another great aspect is if you get a handle on them (as you have) they are often a key race in multi-race bets. Hard to find a pick-4 without at least one MCL involved.

Keep raking in that slot cash! :)

[tbrown]

I am finding myself betting more and more maiden claimers and maiden specials these days.
There are so many automatic throw outs and so few really important factors.

[DallasNY]

I wish I posted this last night when I made the discovery, would not have been an obvius redboard. I was handicapping today’s card at Philly Park and came across this nugget in the 5th race, a Maiden Claiming Race for a tag of $25k for 3yr fillies at 6f.

There were two FTS that immediately caught my eye:

#2 Cammey’s Choice: had a FT=67, a PED =468 and a Wk=81.
#6 Elegant Trip: FT=60, PED=507, Wk=79

Now, in the race there was a coupled entry which had two good horses and the 1A looked to score today on paper – it did win a race but was DQ’d. One was making its third start, the second its fourth –which was the money for all three starts. Although they appeared to be competitive, they both seemed to not have enough to finish..

As PT neared, I was very surprised to see the #2 at 25-1 and the #6 at 15-1. Clearly the public did not have a good opinion of these FTS. Thanks to HTR’s numbers, I had enough information to back these two FTSs without even being nervous. Day’s like this make you think about quitting your day job - one can dream:rolleyes: . But since using HTR, Maiden Claimers have really kept me in the black –especially at PHA.

Sorry,

I'm kind of new, whats does the FT stand for in the FT=60 and FT=67, I can find FC no FT. Also what is the major factor pointing two either of these horses possibly being live? Is it the PED being greater then 450, and WK rating being pretty good for Mclaimers.

Thanks
Carl

[DanG]

Sorry,

I'm kind of new, whats does the FT stand for in the FT=60 and FT=67, I can find FC no FT. Also what is the major factor pointing two either of these horses possibly being live? Is it the PED being greater then 450, and WK rating being pretty good for Mclaimers.

Carl,

[First Time Index]

It’s “FTI” and it’s next to the Ped rating on the Prgm screen.

It’s a percentile rating projecting a horse’s ability in new circumstances. I.e.…FTS, FT-Turf, FT-Route etc…0-99…>50 is a positive sign with >62 getting a nice spike in hit rate.

Good MCL clues…


FTI
PED (450 is a clear power range, or ranked 1,2)
TRN (Rating, Rank, TPG and the HDW trainer stats give great clues.)
WO >=85 is a great threshold, but many MCL will not show all their cards in the morning. Then the connections and bloodlines are about all we have.)


FTS, 2TS, 3TS…Perhaps the most important factor is, are there chronic multiple start runners who have proven they aren’t racehorses in the field?

Sidebar: When I was a teenager learning the ropes a guy at Monmouth was marking up his form with all kinds of notations. I noticed he wrote “RH” next to certain runners. I asked him what the “RH” meant and he said “Racehorse”.

OK, there ALL racehorses, but what he was assessing was do they love the game. People on the backstretch have a language all there own. They reserve the term "racehorse" for a select few horses. (Bill Mott used to call his top stock “Saturday horses”) Horses who will lay their body down every time. The John Henry’s who threaten to take the fight into the parking lot when challenged.

MCL races have few of these types, so many HTR players look to the strangers, or a significant change in approach to expose the weak common types who populate these races.

The Pedigree information in HTR is as powerful as any aspect it has. I’m guessing you will learn to respect it greatly as time goes on.

[DallasNY]

DAN,


Once again I thank you, I cant wait till the first of the month.


Carl

[jhilden]

Carl,

I tend to write in HTR shorthand, sorry. Dan pretty much explained what you were asking, but I wanted to reiterate the play a bit more.

Yes, the FT, PED, and Wk ratings, each by themselves, are good indicators for first time starters, but to have a horse that has great numbers for all three, this is very rare – especially at Philly Park. Majority of first time starters that are entered in maiden claiming races at Philly Park do not exceed a FT rating above the 50’s. This was one of those plays that only come to the track about twice a year – so I try to cash in when the chance arrives – I was lucky to get three signers from this race today.

[DanG]

I was lucky to get three signers from this race today.

Nice!!! :)

[tomcat]

Great description of John Henry. Remember this was the guy that the vet said would never run.

I always wanted a team of 11 of these guys.