Tip of the Week: Welcome Back!

Finding a horse who can run well off of a layoff can be challenging, but there are a few signs to keep an eye out for when handicapping a horse's chances. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)
Horses returning from a lengthy layoff usually are risky betting proposition. Unless you have some inside word from the horse’s connections, what you see in past performances are merely nuggets of information that may or may not be helpful.
Of course, there are times when you can reach a reasonable conclusion that a horse is primed for a strong effort – such as the third race at Saratoga Race Course on Sept. 7, a maiden claimer with a $40,000 price tag.
Because I’m Happy was making his first start in seven months, when he turned in the kind of performance that screamed out something went amiss. Within three lengths of the lead early on, he tired badly and was eased before the finish line, losing by 46 ¼ lengths at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 7.
That effort actually came after a three-month layoff off an eighth-place finish in his second career start.
His debut wasn’t a bad effort as he finished third behind future stakes winner Daredevil, but the last two were certainly worrisome. Yet what helped instill some confidence about this return was that on Aug. 14 at Saratoga he turned in a bullet, gate workout of :59.59, the fastest of 22 workouts at the distance.
After that, Because I’m Happy turned in two brisk four-furlong workouts, indicating the sharpness from the Aug. 14 drill was still there.
Perhaps this time, Because I’m Happy was ready to turn in a top effort while being dropped into a claiming race for the first time.
The morning-line odds of 8-to-1 were inviting and the interest in Because I’m Happy showed as he was bet down to 4.60-to-1 odds.
As it turned out, those who wagered on him were singing a happy tune as he won by a little more than two lengths and returned $11.20 to win.
THE LESSON: A sharp gate workout can be an indication that a horse is primed for a sharp effort off of a layoff.