Gulfstream now tracking, posting horse weights

Gulfstream Park has been posting the weights of starters in each of his races this meet. The horses are weighed on a scale located in the paddock area by racing official George Berry, who then sends the numbers to the graphics department to be posted alongside the odds for the upcoming race. The practice started during the championship meet, but on a limited basis, said Chris Camac, racing secretary at Gulfstream.

“We started in January, just a few races, just a few horses,” he said. “Since April 4, we’ve been weighing every horse, every race.”

Camac said The Stronach Group and its chief operating officer, Tim Ritvo, wanted to launch the program to serve as an added tool for the handicapper to use.

“So, we’ve been keeping a spreadsheet, working with Equibase and The Jockey Club on a way to have it put in the program, so the past performances will have the horses’ weight the last time they ran,” Camac said.

Trainer David Fawkes said he believes the data, when taking into account a horse’s performance over a span of races, will be of use to horseplayers.

“I think it will catch on,” he said. “In every other country they weigh the horses. It’s a handicapping tool. I don’t see why it wouldn’t be in our country. If a horse’s optimum weight is say, 1,000 pounds, and he’s at 900 or 925, you’d have to think that plays into it.”

Camac said plans are to provide weights for each race during the championship meet at Gulfstream.