December-January 2015-2016 /
American Turf Magazine
37
Turf Investor
true, and anyone who can read rac-
ing lines will see it and that kills most
appealing odds.
For a perfect example, here are such
elements as displayed in a horse by the
name of Pita Pistolita, from a race at
Hollywood Casino at Penn National
Racecourse on Sept. 16, 2015. Peruse
the following race lines’ information
(all you need to know) before I follow
up with other information about the
race in which she was entered.
The race in which Pita Pistolita
displayed these running lines was a
$12,500 Maiden Claiming event going
6 furlongs on the dirt. There were no
workouts after these two races and the
current race was a few days short of a
month from her most recent—line one
at Penn National on the turf (T), while
her first effort—line two—was 16 days
before that at Penn National, also on
the turf. Both were restricted to state-
bred (S) fillies. The trainer was zip for
37 starts at Penn National and the rider
was only a near 10-percent winner.
Tiz Zoo Girl was the race favorite.
With only three races to her career, she
was dropping from a $25,000 maiden
claimer and shipping in from Phila-
delphia. However, there was a similar-
ity that the pair shared—both of their
recent two races were on the turf at 5
furlongs, while this was on the dirt. The
disparity in odds was outrageous. Tiz
Zoo Girl was odds on; Pita Pistolita was
$13.80 to the dollar.
You should understand now why it
would take a leap of faith to play this
horse. Making her a contender based
on the fact that she could be every bit
as good, if not better, than the huge
public choice is based on a possibil-
ity that is unimpressive to the general
wagering public. But this is the very
reason horses like this surprise bettors.
Pita Pistolita was only a head in front of
Tiz Zoo Girl for the win but that may as
well been 100 heads because she won
and the leap of faith returned $31.60.
Certainly, you cannot always correctly
isolate factors that present a maiden
such as Pita Pistolita. When you can’t,
it’s a good race to pass and sometimes
you will be wrong. As well, you cannot
force a leap-of-faith maiden wager. You
have to believe the truth that young
horses can show they’re worth a lot
and win with the slightest of evidence
and you must have the courage to
play against the obvious non-maiden
factors handicappers use to evaluate
maiden races. This is an edge, even in
the tough, global, electronic wagering
climate of the new millennium.
(T)5f
(F)(S)MC18000
1
4/4
4/7
5/7 ¾
5/8 ½
(T)5f
(F)(S)MC20000
6
7/5 ¾ 7/4 ¾ 8/3 ¼
7/4 ½
Hoofbeats From the Past
Howard Rowe has not only written about thoroughbred racing
history, he has lived it. He has devoted most of his life to the sport as
a writer and observer. A first-hand knowledge of the sport, a sharp
intellect and longevity combined to make him a valuable historian.
This collection of his work brings horses, colorful characters,
races and racetracks of the late 19th and early 20th century to
life and recalls a bygone era. His historical articles are part of
thoroughbred racing's legacy.
Price:
$19.95
+ $6 SH
Mail to American Turf
747 Middle Neck Road, Suite 103
Great Neck, NY 11024/ or call 800-645-2240 /
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