Hoss Talk

Source: The Province

One does not need to be a rocket scientist to pick a winner at the track. What it really takes is luck.

Each year those who play the races have found it increasingly difficult to sort thorough all the statistical information.

Yet the win percentage for favourite horses (most money bet) has not improved in decades. It remains at 33 per cent.

In an effort to save you invaluable time, we offer some insight into the minds of horses.

Tests conducted by the late veterinarian Dr. Bob Jack reveal a variety of interesting facts about horses.

Horses enjoy calming instrumental music. Therefore if Brother Jake is the music of choice at a horse's barn, you could be in for a bad race.

Forget the excuse that your horse lost because he got tired.

Horses only need four hours of sleep and do it catnapping. They catch zees standing, simply by locking the joints in their elbows and stifles.

Are they colour blind? Research shows they enjoy yellow, red and orange. They do not like blue and violet.

Horses have great memories. If you mistreat them, they will not easily forget it.

Forget the theory that horses are not smart. After a race they have a good meal and hit the hay. We go home mad.

There is nothing wrong with betting on a horse because his jockey is wearing cute racing silks. There is nothing wrong with betting on a horse because he winked at you in the paddock. There is nothing wrong with betting on a horse, because you like his name.

There is something wrong if you didn't bet and it was your lucky day.

FINISH LINES

Sunbury Stables' Rich Cam, a son of Camluck out of Rich Jan, qualified Sept. 13 in under two minutes, almost unheard of for two-year-olds. The colt's first test comes Saturday in the Sandown B.C. Breeders Stakes at Fraser Downs. ... The annual B.C. Standardbred Breeders Society yearling sale catalogue can be viewed online at www.harnessbc.ca/sales .cfm. ... Local trainer Dave Forster has Makors Mark in the $250,000 Grade III Phoenix Breeders Cup at Keeneland racetrack in Kentucky on Saturday.

Tom Wolski can be seen on the Sport of Kings, 11 a.m. Saturdays on Citytv.

twolski@shaw.ca
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Vancouver Province
E-mail Tommy Wolski at twolski@shaw.ca