Next time you’re at the races, look for horses that had problems leaving the starting gate caused by other horses.

Pay close attention to horses' past behavior out of the starting gate, and you might spot the next winner.

By C. Reid McLellan

Fourth of July is a great time to enjoy a lot of what this independent country has to offer. Some enjoyed outdoor cookouts, others went to baseball games, and many enjoyed watching impressive fireworks shows at their local racetrack. For many, Fourth of July events such as these qualify as great times. Each month, we have been looking at ways in which we can improve our enjoyment of racing. Last month, we discussed how we can improve our chances if we read between the lines. This month, we are going to evaluate additional information in the program lines that might be overlooked by the casual race goer, thereby improving our chances of cashing more winning tickets.

The Start

In all racing, the start is important, but when 10 American Quarter Horses line up to dash 350 yards (plus or minus), the start is crucial. Some beginning horse players say they don’t like Quarter Horse racing because the horse they pick to win may get wiped out at the start and have no chance.  By reading between the lines, you can get some information that might help you figure out if your favorite is going to get a clean break. Look to the far right of each past performance line and take note of the comment. You might note that your horse had difficulty at the start of a race in which it did not run well. If that horse gets a clean break tonight, you could be in for a nice payday. Comments like “brushed,” “bothered,” “bumped,” and “wiped out” indicate increasing amounts of interference. “Broke in” and “broke out” give you more information that can be helpful.

If your selection was bumped in its most recent start and still finished close up (within a length) and in the top 5, and tonight the horse to its inside tends to “break in” and the horse to its outside tends to “break out,” your runner has a chance of getting a clean getaway. If it is running in a similar (or lower) class race than its previous start, then consider it for a nice WIN bet.

First Call

In Quarter Horse past performances, the first seven items describe each race, including the winning horse’s time, the time of the horse you are evaluating and the name (or description) of the race.  The next section has four or five numbers that describe how this horse ran in each race. (There are four numbers when the distance is less than 350 yards and five numbers for 350 yards and over.)

Consider these numbers and comments from the most recent race (May 31) for No. 1 Its A Jazzin Time in the first race at Canterbury Park on July 3.

5   9        5   1¼     5   1¼     7   5        ######    Bumped St; no threat

The first number is the gate from which the horse started (5) and the second number is how the horse started from the gate (9th of 10). Obviously, in Quarter Horse racing, look for runners that have more 1s, 2s and 3s in that column.

The third number shows the position (5th) and distance behind the leader (1¼ lengths) after the field had gone 100 yards. The fourth number shows the same information when the field was 110 yards from the finish line. The final number is the finish position and lengths behind the winner at the wire.  On the right, we see the comment, “bumped start.”  Its A Jazzin Time broke poorly (9th) after being “bumped” at start, stayed close (1¼ lengths back) before fading at finish (beaten 5 lengths).

A comment for No. 2 in the first race on Saturday evening indicated that No. 2 might “break out,” meaning that he would break toward No. 3. That suggested that No. 1 might get a clean break in Saturday’s race. Looking further, I noticed that No. 1 had run the fastest speed index of this field in his first start on May 16 and could give the odds-on favorite (No. 3) a run for the money. No. 1 did get away clean but once again “faded” late to be beaten only a length by the speedy favorite and was two lengths in front of the rest of the field. A $2 exacta returned $11.60 and was a nice return for two horses that appeared much the best, provided they got a good break.

Next month, we will read between the lines to evaluate class and see if our selection has been keeping good company. Until then, go to the races and look in the past performances for an American Quarter Horse that had problems leaving the gate caused by other horses. Then check comments on the horses in the gates next to your selection. If it looks like your runner might get a clean break tonight, include that runner in your wager and have the time of your life!

As executive director of The Elite Program, C. Reid McLellan organizes and teaches Groom, Owner and Trainer Elite classes around the country. Find out about the next available class here!

As owner and agent of Purple Power Equine Services, Reid helps people buy and sell race and show prospects and provides guidance and assistance with training, breeding and other equine services.