Paddock Parade

[mauvais]

Hi Folks

I'm new to this site, and relatively new to this game, but I am just wondering if anyone can point me in the direction of any books, links or literature on things to look for in horses in the paddock parade/warmup etc.

Thanks for any help.

Matt

[Glen]

Matt,

Welcome. Donnie recommended the following book. Liked it so much that I had to buy my own copy.

http://www.gamblersbook.com/cgi/shop/cashcart.cgi?ACTION=thispage&thispage=543705.htm&ORDER_ID=564486175

[Glen]

While we are on the subjects of books, here is a plug for our own Tomcat.

http://www.gamblersbook.com/cgi/shop/cashcart.cgi?ACTION=thispage&thispage=542105.htm&ORDER_ID=564486175

[cj_rg2.0]

Matt:

You might check out Takach's columns at http://www.handicapping.com/

I don't do much phyicality handicapping and really think you need to see the actual horse live (rather than on the monitor) to benefit from it.

[hurrikane]

Takach is also here...

http://www.icapper.com/articles_main.html

[100ACES]

Hello Boys,

Welcome to the board and to this great sport, Matt. I would like to encourage and aid you in your quest to expand your knowledge of this interesting facet of the game that some refer to as "Physicality." Though no expert by any measure, I have used body language to advantage on numerous occasions. A recent example occured at AP a couple of Fridays ago. I was able to
fool several friends into thinking I was an expert by putting them on a $39.20 winner in an 8K claimer. The 3YO exhibited text book positive body language in the paddock/post parade. Of course he looked the part in HTR Fr1 & 2 also.

Others have mentioned Takach. He is, I suppose, the reigning physicality guru. He produced a video tape some years ago (early 90's) called "Spotting The Ready To Win Racehorse." Perhaps you can email him to find out if it, or an updated edition, is available.

In 1980 Tom Ainslie and the late Bonnie Ledbetter co-authored a book called "The Body Language of Horses" (Morrow). She followed that with a two part video tape of a similar name.

Another useful source of book learnin' on this topic is Trillis Parker's "Horses Talk: It Pays To Listen." She asked that inquiries be addressed to Parker Productions Inc. 4485 Pennwood, Suite 113, Las Vegas NV. It was self published in 1989. I can't tell you if the address is current. Miss Parker put her teachings on a two part video tape also.

I would start with the Gamblers Book Club, Las Vegas, as others have already suggested.

[Ken Massa]

Welcome aboard Matt - thanks for giving us a look. Body language handicapping has to be the most obscure niche area of this game and very few succeed at it. Those that do, are at the paddock every day and know the trainer nuances - right down to keeping records of every bandage, wrap and minor tie-on the horse displays every start. Shoe changes are a current area of expertise that the insiders are keen on these days - shoe information is available on the shoe board - but not in print - need to keep your own log. The pros also keep records of appearance on the horse and note subtle physical changes such as weight loss/gain and can even detect leg soreness or ankle swelling by sight. Probably takes a year of careful observation to become confident with this type of visual analysis to pick winners with it.

As for quick body language handicapping from television or Internet post parade - very tough to make clear distinctions from such a limited perspective - much easier to beat the game with the computer!

[mauvais]

Thanks for all your help, people and the warm welcome.

Regards

Matt

[codesix]

Matt,

Ledbetter's book was most helpful to me.

If you have live racing in your town, go and practice these "skills" you read of. It will take awhile to get the feel of it and be productive. I was never able to read a horse's body language on the screen until I was able to do so in person. Once you have the basics, you'll be ahead of the crowd.

When/ if you decide to look into "physicality" capping, don't discount the exchanges between the jocks and trainers/ handlers after the race is run when the horses come back. Look for any tongue ties being removed there b/c you may have missed them being put on in the paddock.

You can also tell immediately after the race at that exchange (by the card/ tag attatched) what horse got claimed before it's ever announced. Those horses are to be noted b/c you can be damned sure that something w/b different about the equiptment next out if he's well meant. Sometimes it's a change in the blinker cup, or shadow roll, or addition of a tongue tie, etc.

[Donnie]

Welcome Matt!

Also want to say "hey!" to 100Aces...longtime no see guy! How is AP this year?? Haven't had a chance to follow them at all!

[delayjf]

Matt,
When I was in So Cal, I subscribed to Joe Takach's "Southern Cal horses to Watch". I highly recommend that subscription if you play the So Cal circuit. His comments were aften the reason why I would eliminate certain horses from consideration, especailly favorites. If Joe said a horse that had won a race and looked good on paper, came out of that race blowing hard, or looking tired returning to the barn, almost like clock work that horse did not run back to his winning effort the next time out.
I found both the Ledbetter / Takach videos to be very informative and to my surprize, a lot of the material could be quickly and easily learned and used. Will it turn you into a conformation expert over night? No, that does take time to develop. But one of the main things I learned was to look for change in a horses appearance from race to race. If a horse was as dry as a bone, on his toes in the paddock in his last race and now shows up standing still showing no energy, with his head down, exhibiting kidney sweat you could rest assured he is not going to run well today. Joe also goes into a lot of other aspects of horse racing and I will warn you he is very opinionated. But at the race track, who's not.
Good luck.
Jeff