Uncoupled Entry Angle
 

Over the last few weeks I have noticed that there has been a notable increase in the number of uncoupled entries so I thought I repost the angle so folks can be on the lookout for it. So here it is.
Just thought I would expand on this since it keyed a big day at Parx for myself and especially DarMar[Darryl March]. I first became aware of this angle when I was doing capping for former NY leading trainer Gasper Moschera. He explain to me that when a trainer entered an uncoupled entry[except in a rabbit situation which is rare today] he[she] feels that either half can win today and to pay attention to the longer price part. For the most part the better trainers score the most often with the angle but the lesser trainers' horses usually pay box car prices when they hit. For the record I've haven't tracked the win% or avg win price lately but have started again. I do know it is a good angle to pay attention to.
Tim

Hi Tim!

Thanks for reposting this. I remember seeing you mention the uncoupled entry angle before, but the background from Gasper Moschera really helps explain the trainer-intent side of it.

A couple questions if you don’t mind:

Do you require both horses to already look like legitimate contenders on your readouts, or will the angle sometimes make you keep a horse that otherwise falls outside your normal contender cutoff?

When you say pay attention to the longer-priced half, is there a price relationship you find especially meaningful, or are you simply looking for value whenever the public clearly prefers one over the other?

Are there any clues you use to separate a true uncoupled-entry situation from the rare rabbit setup before the race?

Have you noticed the angle being stronger when both horses have the same owner as well as the same trainer, or is trainer intent the main thing you focus on?

I’m going to start flagging these before I finalize my contenders and wagers. Like you always say, trust but verify.

Thanks again,
Jimmy

Hi Jimmy. I use to have record of the trainers that were good using it Pletcher & Brown in NY & Ness & Reed at Parx also. No owner involved just trainer, in the rare case of the rabbit it usually happens when 1 of the top contenders needs the lead I don't worry about it. Don't het hung up with all these question. The angle is straight forward same trainer low & high odds]. The longer priced horse is usually a border line to non=contender. If you want you can check out the BL/.BL screen for corollaries.
Tim
Tim

Thanks Tim! Appreciate the advice, clarification, and the trainer insights. I'll keep an eye on this angle and track the results.

All the best!

The entry screen in RDSS ids these uncoupled entries and their m/l odds. Can't miss them.
Tim

Well, the data I am referencing probably is only good through Delmar, but in open MSW races Bob Baffert wins at a ridiculous percentage, at least 1/3rd of all such races, but even more so when he enters more than one. It can also apply when other top trainers do it as well. But what I found was with Baffert you could box his entry with some or all of the other entrants and catch a nice low price trifecta for $3 or less. It happened enough to be worth a look. Dick Mandella and Doug O'neill also did it. So you could bet "entry-all-entry", "entry-entry-all", but not as often, but that is probably due to the fact that BB would have so many expensive and promising two year olds.

It works well when the fields are smaller, but usually his horses have some great works prior to the race that you can look at to help your choices.

Bill