Clocking

[Thoroughbred Fan]

Originally Posted by justindew

The following passage is from a DRF article regarding Street Sense's last work at Churchill....

"Street Sense announced his readiness with a scary-good five-furlong work in 57.40 seconds on Thursday at Churchill Downs. Officially, Churchill clockers caught his last eighth of a mile in 10 seconds, though his connections realize that was probably incorrect.

Wilkes, who was at Churchill that morning, said he caught the final quarter of the move in 22.40 seconds with the last eighth in 11.20. Regardless, the work was an indication to Wilkes and the colt's regular jockey, Calvin Borel, of how well Street Sense is doing heading into the summer."

Here is my question: How hard would it be to create some kind of electronic tracking system for workouts, similar to the Trackus system at Keeneland, that would eliminate the guesswork in timing workouts? If anyone has an opinion on this, I would love to hear it.

The answer is that it would be really tough since not all workouts are intended to finish at the finish line. I know of a couple of trainers who often intend to work a horse 3 furlongs, but call it in as 5 furlongs and start and finish at odd poles to throw off the clocker. Then, he'll call and say "what did you get hm in?" And then they talk for a second and come up with a number, when the trainer knows damn well how fast the horse worked.

It would have to be one hell of an electronic system to have any value and you would need the same system at all tracks or it would be next to useless.

[wiphan]

how does the system work at keeneland?

[JDank34]

it would be impossible due to differing lengths of works....for example one trainer may want his horse to work a half from the 3/8th's pole on out past the wire, while another may want a half from the 1/2 mile pole, etc...

plus this is a moot point, as some trainers want all bullets in the holster, while a guy like Wilkes loves for a half in 50, however with fractions like 13.4, 13, 12, 11.2, with the emphasis on finishing......but to a guy who just focuses on works looks at a half in 50 an passes....

[Cannon Shell]

It would actually be easy but would be a cost that the tracks probably wont want to incur until there is a demand for it. In Hong Kong, all works are electronically timed. As a matter of fact every horse has an electronic device in thier saddle towel like a trackus device that times them whenever they are on the track, even for gallops or jogging. Each horse is assigned a special towel that they must wear everyday. I asked what happens if you switch towels and jail was mentioned, though that would be a little harsher than we would see over here. The problem as usual is the expense of installing the timing system.

[hockey2315]

I think one of Trackus' goals is to have their system installed for workouts. ..

[ELA]

A great deal of what's been said is not only true, but extremely common -- every single day occurence. The "private" clockers -- ones who work for themselves, pro's, etc. or ones who are for hire. Many trainers go to the private clockers before, after or instead of the track's clockers.

I also think accurate, electronic, etc. clocking is contingent on whether or not it is mandatory to report works. I can't speak to CD, but for example, at Monmouth (I don't know if it's still the case today, but it certainly was a couple of years ago) it is not mandatory to report works, times, etc. In this situation, it would be an exercise in futility.

Also, many, many times, the clockers will put down what they are asked to put down, or will put down what they are told (for example if they missed something).

Eric