| You may have seen a jockey shifting his or her | | | | appear to tire badly. Part of good horse racing |
| weight from side to side as his or her mount came | | | | handicapping, and trip handicapping in particular, is |
| down the stretch while you were watching a horse | | | | watching the stretch run and noting when a horse |
| race and wondered what was going on. It was | | | | shifts leads. It may appear as though it has shifted |
| something you should have noted. Part of good | | | | gears. |
| horse racing handicapping is being observant and | | | | The problem with this, of course, is that you may |
| profiting from the little things you notice. What was | | | | not know if the horse will switch leads in its next |
| happening was that the rider was trying to get the | | | | outing. You may see it running against the same |
| horse to switch leads. If the horse tired badly in the | | | | caliber of horses and if it will switch leads. One key |
| stretch, the chances are that it failed to switch leads. | | | | may be if the trainer doesn't drop it in class. He or |
| A wise trainer and jockey will work on the problem | | | | she may have worked the horse and successfully |
| with the horse and if they solve it, the same runner | | | | got it to switch leads. If that is the case, and the |
| may run a better race next time out. | | | | trainer thinks it can win, it will often return in the |
| Horses lead with one foot or the other as they race | | | | same class or may even move up a little. |
| and of course, the dominant leg will get more use | | | | On the other hand, if the trainer drops the horse, it is |
| and get tired as a result of that. Switching to the | | | | a red flag. It may be that the horse needs the drop |
| other leg and leading with that leg down the stretch | | | | in order to win or maybe it just won't switch leads. |
| is an excellent way to get a little more out of the | | | | Some horses manage to win without switching, but |
| horse. Many horses do it naturally and don't need to | | | | often need to race below the level they could win at |
| be taught or reminded to do it. But sometimes, during | | | | if they would only learn that basic racing move. If |
| the heat of battle, they forget. | | | | you note that a horse failed to switch leads but has |
| The jockey will often be aware of that and | | | | a competent trainer, watch the betting and class of |
| purposely throw his or her weight to the side trying | | | | the race it is entered in next. They are excellent |
| to get the horse to switch leads. Sometimes the | | | | keys to whether or not the problem has been |
| tactic works, the horse switches leads and finishes | | | | solved. However, bet cautiously because you never |
| the race with a good run. If the horse fails to switch | | | | know until the ultimate test, the race itself. |
| leads, or waits too long before doing so, it may | | | | |