Stronach Group, Equibase Pounding Out Horse Weight Plan

In a move it hopes will provide an added handicapping tool for horseplayers, the Stronach Group, working with Equibase, hopes to provide weight information for horses starting at most of its tracks by the end of summer.

While the information also figures to prove useful for horsemen, Stronach Group chief operating officer Tim Ritvo said the idea stems from a trip to Hong Kong where he observed horseplayers enthusiastically embracing such information. Former horseman Ritvo also found the weight information useful in trying to decipher those race puzzles.

"I saw people using it as a tool; I actually used it myself. (In Hong Kong) it's more perfected, and it's where we want to get to, with the help of Equibase," Ritvo said. "It gives you plus and minus weights—how much did the horse weigh the last time he ran and how much is he today? When you're looking at a horse who has been off three or four months, you'll be able to look back through the program to find what his best performing weight was and what his weight is today. That should be a contributing factor to (whether) he'll run his best race or not."

Ritvo also noted that providing such information is a way for the Stronach Group tracks to differentiate themselves from other major tracks, although he later added that it also would be beneficial if other tracks would follow suit. Previously, Remington Park has provided horseplayers such information.

ANGST: Remington Park Plans to Report Horse Weights

With that in mind, the Stronach Group invested in scales to put in place at Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita Park in California, Gulfstream Park in Florida, and Laurel Park in Maryland. In fact, the first set of scales were not working well, so the track owner brought in new scales to meet the needs. It has been collecting the weight information for several months.

Dr. Robert O'Neil, director of Equine Health and Safety at Gulfstream, said the weighing process has worked well. As horses walk toward the paddock, they stop for a moment for the identifier and are weighed at the same time. Currently, that weight information is provided on in-house video and simulcast signals.

Ritvo said the Stronach Group is working with Equibase to provide the information in the program by the end of the summer. It would include a plus/minus from the previous start.

"This is something we've been working on for quite a while," Ritvo said. "We believe this is another tool for bettors to determine when a horse could be at his ideal weight. We also believe horsemen will look at weight to decide how training, feeding, and environment affect a horse's weight and performance.

"I think this information benefits everyone, from horsemen to bettors to track veterinarians, and it allows further transparency," Ritvo said. "We hope the added element is beneficial to our customers since we have always considered them the economic engine of the sport."

Ritvo said it's important to give horseplayers as much information as possible.

"We continue to try to give the handicapper, the customer, as much information as possible to be an added asset to their success," Ritvo said. "The more educated the customer is, the better chance they have of continuing to win."