AboutStephanie Frost Expertise Questions about Thoroughbred training, racing and breeding. Rules and regulations regarding Thoroughbred racing. Mainly focused on racing in the USA. I can also answer breeding and bloodstock questions, along with pedigree advice, plus advice about forming a realistic plan for starting into the racing or breeding business. No handicapping questions, please.
Experience I have been a licensed Thoroughbred trainer for 20 years, a thoroughbred farm owner and Thoroughbred breeder. Owner of Alchemy Bloodstock, a full service bloodstock agency, specializing in locating quality racing and breeding stock for clients, and representing clients at various Thoroughbred sales. Alchemy Bloodstock has been instrumental in the purchase and training of several graded stakes horses, as well as many extremely profitable sales horses.
Question Kent Desormeaux said that he harnessed the speed of Hold Me Back in his previous races and that he was going to use its speed early in the Derby. Could he use the whip right out of the gate to get Hold Me Back to the front of the race as soon as possible or does he have to let the horse do it on its own and just use the reins as motivation?
Answer Dennis,
Kent could have used the whip right out of the gate, but you will almost never see that happen outside of a Quarter Horse race. As a general rule you want to allow the horse to find his pace and settle in as much as possible early in the race, rather than shaking him up with the whip.
