Time Between Races

[Lily Wilkins]

With first class shipping and companion animals, what’s everyone’s opinion on rest between races on upper level horses? Is a three-week gap at some point in the season (or leading up to a major G1) really necessary on a Sound horse anymore if both of the aforementioned resources are being utilized?

[Nicole Marie]

With first class shipping and companion animals, what’s everyone’s opinion on rest between races on upper level horses? Is a three-week gap at some point in the season (or leading up to a major G1) really necessary on a Sound horse anymore if both of the aforementioned resources are being utilized?

Last year, "very sound" Halley raced on W9D1 (won), and by W10D1 she was vetting 'peak/ready to race.' I wasn't planning on running her until W11D5, so I gave her a workout on W10D2. She ran the fastest 3F of her life, and then won the W11D5 race in record time. And she wasn't the only "very sound" graded stakes winning mare I've had recently who would vet peak just 7-8 days after their last start. I sometimes will try to do a 2.5 week rest (like, a D1 race to a D5 race two weeks later) if there's a fitting race available but I really don't think we need a 3 week break if the horse is rested. It's cost me a bit in vet fees to double check on this stuff but I feel I can be pretty bold with the sound or very sound horses.

[Gwayne's World]

For me anyway, 2.5 weeks usually works well.

[Rochelle Bos]

I don’t buy companion animals anymore. When first class came out I struggled with Beau, where sometimes 2 weeks wasn’t enough, but 3 was too long between.

[Lily Wilkins]

I see. Thank you!

[Kelly Haggerty]

I use the vet a LOT and find a good bit of variety in my barn. I have horses that kind of fall apart with 2 weeks rest and others that are ok with 4. I pretty much pay Doc's mortgage because it helps to have the info.

[Lily Wilkins]

I use the vet a LOT and find a good bit of variety in my barn. I have horses that kind of fall apart with 2 weeks rest and others that are ok with 4. I pretty much pay Doc's mortgage because it helps to have the info.

Utilizing the vet definitely helps... Even if he is a sassy *** who doesn't really deserve our money
"hAve aN OkAy dAy"

[Craig Mcgee]

My 3 SC winners all raced on a 2 week schedule. Some that I thought that had chances at winning and got a 3 week rest bombed. So take that as you will but that has happened to me the last 2 seasons.

[Abby Brooks]

I don’t buy companion animals anymore. When first class came out I struggled with Beau, where sometimes 2 weeks wasn’t enough, but 3 was too long between.

Did you try jogging/galloping him on W3D1 when he would race on W3D5? Just curious to see if you had given some works inbetween. I think its something we as simsters..should be doing but dont, especially with all this extra rest * going on

[Kelly Haggerty]

I walk mine a good bit, too. And will ship with a pony sometimes for bigger races to have the option of ponying. I think all the various approaches are interesting.

[Anthony Zappulla]

I don’t buy companion animals anymore. When first class came out I struggled with Beau, where sometimes 2 weeks wasn’t enough, but 3 was too long between.

He was very sound?

[Rochelle Bos]

I don’t buy companion animals anymore. When first class came out I struggled with Beau, where sometimes 2 weeks wasn’t enough, but 3 was too long between.

He was very sound?

Just regular sound

[Diane Townsend]

I always thought 2-2-3 weeks was regular schedule but with the gallop comment "7-9 races per year" that has made me question what I consider regular schedule.

[Laura Ferguson]

I'm going to answer your question with: it depends. How hard are the races you are entering the horse in? If your races are Pegasus/Saudi Cup/World Cup, for example, at some point your horse is going to need longer than two weeks between races, because the horse has been asked for maximum effort multiple times. If the horse has an easier spot/effort along the way, it is easier to keep to an every two week schedule

[Anthony Zappulla]

I'm going to answer your question with: it depends. How hard are the races you are entering the horse in? If your races are Pegasus/Saudi Cup/World Cup, for example, at some point your horse is going to need longer than two weeks between races, because the horse has been asked for maximum effort multiple times. If the horse has an easier spot/effort along the way, it is easier to keep to an every two week schedule

Wow, listen up people!!

Interesting!!