"The Hat" on Energy Distribution/ Example Race
 

Here is a word document from Jim on energy distribution. Feel free to download it and reference it.

Note** - In the last paragraph Jim uses the term " Matchup races". This is his term for tandem races. When he first started the matchup that's what HE called them. " Matchup races".

Next I will upload some pp's for a race and ask a couple of questions based on Jim's writeup.Try not to peek at the result before working the race.

Please post any questions/comments about the race ok? Then Jim will come on and comment and/or answer them.

This is an extremely cool race. :)

here is Jim's attachment

the race conditions and horse 1

the 1a and the 2

the 3 and 4

the 5 and 6

the 7 and 8

finally to complete the field the # 9

" The Hat"
 

ok here is the first thing Jim says to look for ( see screenshot).

So in this race which horse or horse(s) is most likely to get out of the gate FIRST and LEAD ?

If you find just one horse then we look and see if that horse can expect any PRESSURE from another early or early presser at the 1c and/or 2nd call.

What does this race look like? how does it " set up" to be won?

are there a lot of early/ early press that might set it up for a sustained to win?

is there little or no early pressure that would point to early/ early press having a BIG edge?

"The Hat" on using units of Energy when a horse is "headed"
 

Jim is teaching me that when a horse is headed - a neck or head in the pp's - it uses up units of energy because of the PRESSURE the horse feels when another comes alongside it.

He also points out that this " battle" often goes on for an extended period of time in a race while we just see the " point if call".

He says " Rich sometimes this battle can go for over a quarter mile. THIS horse if he can not have to face such pressure today will have ALL KINDS OF LEFTOVER ENERGY TO USE TODAY".

Jim will come on and comment on any questions asked about this race ok?

Richie

There is only 1 horse who breaks on top, or is on the lead or right near: Red Zipper. No others even care to press early. In his last race, he may have been 'headed' and used up a bunch of energy keeping this position, thus fading finally. But if no one wants to run with him today, will he conserve this same energy and thus have it in reserve to fend off the late runners?

Ted