Thanks you for your take as always.!! Seems to me it’s for filling the field. Seems stupid to fill a Grade 1 Race with these simply overmatched horses.Hi Mr. GndT.
Always a pleasure to talk with you.
Q. These horses clearly don't belong in this race, hence the ML were 30-1, 50-1 and 30-1. They went off at 60-1, 77-1, 43-1. Shouldn't there be some kind of restrictions or accomplishment before you are allowed to enter?
A. Sometimes it is over zealous owners that force a trainer to run in terrible spots. And I'm not sure about this race but... was this race part of a promotion like a rainbow 6 race or whatever?
If so, and depending on the betting allowed for the race, more times than you might guess, the racing dept. will "ask" meaning put pressure on a trainer or owner, to run in a race if it needs to fill to a certain size field or if it's part of a gimmick bet. Management wants a 9 horse field and only have 5-6 horses in it. So they call the trainers and ask if they will enter. This is especially true if there is like one odds on horse and the rest are not very good. They can gently let the trainer know that the race is coming up "light" other than the 1-5 shot for instance to try and lure them into running for 2nd or 3rd for G-1 black type. Granted this happens much more often in the female division for broodmare status but I have seen it happen in all types depending on the situation.
Don't know if this is what happened here or not . Just saying that it could have.
Q. Shouldn't the trainer tell these over zealous owners the reality?
A. If it was not what I stated above, yes, the trainer should try and get the owner to be realistic. That said, that owner might have plenty more horses in the barn or on the way and the trainer has to weigh the prospects looking forward as well as the downside of running in that race.
Alot depends on the entire picture but it is sometimes tough to tell an owner no when they help put food on the trainers table and create jobs for a couple of grooms a hot walker and an exercise rider.
It can be tough to deal with for sure. If that is the case, it becomes a give and take but in the long run, it helps neither side long term. IMO, the game is tough enough when you spot to win.
Hope that helps Mr. GandT.
Keep up the good work in your thread !