If'n

[John Smith]

IF a speed horse gallops up, does that mean he gets faster initially? If not, he will lose because he didn't get the lead regardless, right? and If so, then the gallop up is relatively meaningless except for maybe finishing?...but IF that horse is also timid, then the gallop up is mostly meaningless then, right? because if he is challenged he will most likely spit the bit.

[Stormy Peak]

I think a lot of that depends upon what's going on with his competition.

It could be the horse he's running with towards the wire...might also be a timid...but perhaps less talented, or slightly more tired from running a few extra races in the same time span that your horse has run that year. And the rest of the pack also had various reasons for not getting to the front.

I have timid horses win races, and some are closers and some liked to run up towards the front, with horses that jumped up, I usually see them get 2 or 3 nice finishes...might not win, but at least getting up to 2nd or 3rd, where before they were getting no money, or getting a 4th or 5th spot.

Stormy