Arizona Downs’ inaugural summer horse racing season is just around the corner. Thousands of fans will show up for our Memorial Day weekend celebration, but few will know everything that has gone on behind the scenes to prepare for our summer meet. Fans will be thrilled at the thundering sound of hooves racing to the finish line, but may not consider, for instance, how horses are selected to compete in any particular race.
Because “fan education” is a top priority for the management team at Arizona Downs, we’re taking every opportunity to explain the sport, including my role as Racing Secretary. The better you understand the sport, the greater the appreciation. Knowledge is also powerful if you happen to be a betting fan.
So, how are horses selected? It’s not a simple process, and it begins with what is known as the “Condition Book.” Sounds boring, but this book is a “must read” for anyone who is serious about competing in the industry – as a racehorse owner or trainer. It’s also a great tool for a serious bettor.
The Condition Book, which is my responsibility to produce, lays out the conditions, or criteria, that horses must meet in order to compete in each of our races. The conditions include: the sex and age of horses that can enter a race; the claiming price; the distance; and finally, specific conditions that a horse is eligible for relevant to accumulated career wins. For example, a maiden race is specifically for horses that have never won a race in their lifetime. But there are also races specifically for horses that have a career win, or multiple wins, within a specified period of time.
Another important sub-condition of each race is the weight allowance. A weight allowance may enable one horse to get into a race carrying less weight than other horses. A horse that hasn’t won a race within 30 days, for instance, may get a two-pound weight allowance over a horse that has had a recent win. An extra pound or two can make a huge difference at the finish line.
The most successful horsemen spend a great deal of time studying and analyzing this data to determine which races and qualifying conditions provide the best competitive advantage for each of their horses. Like any other sport, “scouting” is key to finishing first. A savvy bettor will study the Condition Book for the very same reason – to determine which horses have the best chances to win any given race on any given race day.
When you come to our summer races, you’ll immediately begin to see which betting fans are in it to win it. They’ll spend time at the Paddock, studying horses prior to their races. Just like football players, track runners and other athletes, horses can occasionally be off their game. Serious bettors also study the trainers and jockeys, and learn who is best suited to win races based on the given conditions.
As you can see, what I do is truly a science. But my end goal is always to create a racing season that is exciting for everyone — families who are new to horse racing, and more serious bettors who will be wagering on horses.
If you’re interested in learning more about the incredible sport of horse racing, you’re in luck. We’ll be hosting “fan education” workshops throughout our summer racing season. For more information, visit ArizonaDowns.com and “Like” our Facebook page for ongoing news and updates. QCBN
By Randy Wehrman
Randy Wehrman is the racing secretary at Arizona Downs. He has been a Kentucky racing official for nearly 35 years. His career includes several years serving as racing secretary and assistant racing secretary in various states.