Running Bad (ways To Dig Yourself Out)

By Author: Ronei Daselva
Total Articles: 10
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Digitaldowns.us the world’s best virtual horse racing game on the internet! This exercise sets to find ways on how to dig yourself out of the bad streaks. Losing can be frustrating, but sometimes losing can be a positive lesson if you step back and learn from it.

“If you change nothing, nothing will change”

When things go bad on the race track, the best way to try to improve your results are to make changes. Below is my list I refer to when going through such a streak or when I feel I’m not getting the most from a horse I’m high on.

Changing Adds – The most obvious way to improve performance might be a changing of equipment. If your horse has similar workout times with different adds (tongue tie, shadowroll, blinkers or a combination of the 3) a changing to a different add or add combo might be all that’s needed to get over the top. Note: Even changing to an add that has slightly slower final workout time may yield more favorable results.

Below is an example of one of my horses improving with a different add

Bonus Credit Bonanza Example

I was high enough on the ...
... works for Bonus Credit Bonanza I put him in the added Create Maiden Shotgun races. He got 2nd on debut, but I felt like he wasn’t on par with his competition as he had the rail draw and a 7lb apprentice weight break. I decided to geld and re-enter into another shotgun race and he did win, but he had rail again and it was just a 3 horse race. I continued on in an allowance in which he was well beaten, then a steep drop in class to 6Kc where he again disappointed. His most recent race I changed from the ST setup that he got his only win with and changed it to a tongue tie (similar workout times). The change to a tongue tie seemed to sharpen his speed and improve his stamina to a career top speed figure. Next we’ll see if he can climb the class level with the tongue tie in his next race.

Claiming – “I have no good horses!” You may say. Claiming horses especially at lower claiming levels from successful and knowledgeable horsemen can provide immediate dividends if you do it right. Following the previous owners lead (if current form is good) or looking “outside the box” can be a fruitful proposition.

I usually pour over the bottom level claimers for the next day in hopes of adding a handy claimer or a hidden gem at a discount price. The above example is one I recently claimed for the rock bottom price of 3Kc. The risk at this level is very low, but the rewards can be huge especially with a young horse with little to no experience.

Tarynlosthermagic Claim Example

TARYNLOSTHERMAGIC was a first time starter from last season’s Trainer of the Year and leading trainer this season. I would suggest new trainers look closely at the top trainer’s claimers as those horse tend to be the best bred and some may be spotted at lower levels just to pad win totals. The 2 YO gelding had solid bloodlines, the son of multiple graded stakes winner and near millionaire BLACKLAND FARMER (4,200Kc per race) the dam TAYLORLOOKEDFLUSH, however, was the complete opposite and a big disappointment on the track. Closer inspection of her pedigree, however, shows two successful parents on the track and a strong broodmare dam TAYLORSROYALFLUSH who passed on her talents to many of her foals (56Kc per foal & 3,100Kc per race). The grand dam was also a daughter from prominent sire line LEAVE NO DOUBT. The dam of our runner TAYLORLOOKEDFLUSH had only been bred a few times, but most of her foals were already winners, including 2 YO filly standout TARYNFOUNDAFLUSH (5-6 80Kc with 2 qualifier wins). I thought why not place the claim.

After winning a claim I review the workouts of the horse to determine if another add can be used if the current form is dark or if an add has been missed by the previous connections. Despite my claim struggling on debut sprinting, reviewing the workouts closely he appeared to be better suited for classic or route distances. I had also noticed he hadn’t tried a shadowroll by itself (had worked and debut with combo add consisting of shadowroll). Instead of rushing him to the races I decided to train him up for his next workout and equip the shadowroll alone. The results of that work were positive and yielded a strong closing kick then his combo add. I then stretched him out to 9F and bumped him up in class a couple of levels and he won going away after enduring a very wide trip.

Changing Distance – Sometimes getting more or less racetrack is all a horse needs to unlock his/her potential. Some horses will seem stronger in works as a sprinter or a router, but if the results aren’t there you may just have to try another distance. This could prove to be an even powerful move if used in combination with a class drop.

Drop and Pop – The most commonly used method of improving performance is immediate class relief. If changing adds/distance fail, trying softer foes can be the best remedy. Note: geldings without breeding potential commonly survive the claim box based on this notion alone and can usually drop in class dramatically without risk of being claimed. Under-performing geldings should be dropped in class without hesitation.

Gelding – Can improve focus and performance with slow working or poor performing colts. Probably used prematurely in most cases, but if there is very little interest in the bloodlines of the colt then it might be the best option. I would suggest trying other methods before employing the “ultimate equipment change”.

Scoring a Big Win – Whether its an added money race or a champ qualifier, the added cash and confidence a score like that does for your stable can help “right the ship” when things have gone bad. For me personally I feel better about what i’m doing and seem to focus more on my other runners with the renewed confidence a big win brings. Additionally, the added credits in my account helps “spread” the opportunity around for other wins.

Asking for Advice – Whether its inquiring about the best jocks to use, racing instructions, or other general thoughts about placing and running horses the information you can get from others in the chatroom or from PMs could be valuable. For me personally, just finding out who some of the more trusted jocks this season has improved the rides my mounts have gotten, even if they don’t win.

Taking a Break – Stepping away from the game for a few days or weeks may be the best option for some. If you’re thinking about taking a drastic approach ie: prematurely killing all your horses, instead take a few days off and come back to the game when you’re ready. Several members have come back after a long hiatus, only to have to rebuild their stable from the ground up again. This can be a pricey and long process to get where you want your stable to be.

The only cure to losing is winning

In closing I would encourage everyone to keep at it and periodically look for ways you can improve your stable. Those off the board finishes will become minor board spots, and those 2nd’s and 3rd’s will turn into wins before you know it. Good luck.