Oracle?
 

I asked a question last week and I dont know if I got an answer or not, but I thought I would reach out to you:

What are some of the causes for a horse going "off form?" The 2nd part, what do you like to see from a horse that is "off form" before you will wager on that horse again?

Well a dull effort after a hard schedule or too many races in a short time period is usually the biggest clue.
As far as coming back into form, thats tricky. A layoff by a good trainer will usually be a good move.

Thanks thanks. So when you are handicapping a race and you see a clue like the one above--will you tend to stay away from that horse?

Yeah I will. People tend to forget that they aren't machines.

I ran across the situation awhile back. A horse ran like 4 races in 1 1/2 months and finished in the money in all 3. Well I wagered on him and he threw in a clunker. I thought to myself, man, what a dumb bet.

I hate overraced horses. They will go off form more readily when they are overraced.

Sad thing was is that he was 2-1. Talking about a bad favorite. He was dropping and ran against a couple who won their next race back. Needless to say I lost $90 on that race.

That is definately something I will be on the lookout for. I got a tip on a horse about 2 mos. ago, Artful launch. He ran a good 3rd that day. Came back to beat the 3/5 chalk next out. They ran him again off 2 weeks last Friday (He got off @ 10/1 and was beat by the hair on a flys ass!!). GD I was heated! It looked like he had it too. You can only go to the well so many times I guess. He was pretty much all out, so next time he runs, if w/in 3 week I'll not be jumping on him too hard. I hope they give him a month, but not much left in the meet @ CD.

Out at Hollywood some horse won off 1 weeks rest. The trainer is like 30% with 1-7 days off. I didnt play the horse because I thought he would go off form, boy did he burn me.

there are a slew of reasons not mentioned why a horse can go"off form", but anyways euro there are quite a few trainers who are very proficient at just walking a horse inbetween starts and wheeling a horse back in a week or less. doesnt dutrow have a high%1-7 days?

Only with cheaper horses Playa.

yeah i thought so mike, one trainer who used to do it well and do it often wheeling them back that quickly was kirby here in chicago

Speaking of horses going off form, what the heck is going on with Wend?

Shes looked horrible her last 2.

Perfect example, shes gone over the top and I think that racing her back on three weeks rest on Derby Day caused it.

Yeah, I hear ya, the 13 days didn't bother me at all. He really ran VERY well, well enought to win really. I will just be suspect if they try it again. He took the lead briefly in the stretch and just couldn't hold it. C F O Light went yesterday comming off a good win 10 days prior. I didn't like it, tossed him and I thought he ran quite well, just tired out and ran 4th. Thought I was going to get burned on that one.