AboutChristopher Crocker Expertise All questions pertaining to thoroughbred horse racing from a trainer's perspective. All questions about thoroughbred training methods, equine biochemistry and physiology. General questions about strategies and economics of thoroughbred horse racing.
I will also be pleased to answer general questions about training and caring for horses of all breeds.
Experience I have been breaking, schooling and training thoroughbred race horses for over twelve years.
Publications http://CrockerRacingStable.com
Education/Credentials High school graduate 1992. Dalfort Aircraft 1994. Licensed thoroughbred horse trainer in Canada and six American states as of 2009.
Question I have a 4 yr old thoroughbred filly who is sucessful racing at shorter distances, 2 - 5 1/2 furlongs. I would like her to be able to race solidly in a 6 furlong. What type of training program do you recommend to increase the length of the race. She is a good swimmer, in the recent past she swims every third day. Thank you.
Answer If the horse is a successful sprinter at this distance then I wouldn't change a thing. If you insist on racing longer distances then the first thing to have to do is slow the horse down, yes, I said slow it down. You may have a horse that is perfectly capable of going 1 mile or more but the jockey has to rate the horse at much slower fractions early on in the race. If your horse will not rate it's speed then you are pretty much stuck with a 5 1/2 furlong horse. If your win times are in 1:04 or better then you should have no problem rating the horse to go in 1:11 or 1:12. I am not sure what kind of surface you are running on or what level of racing you are running, so I can only give you relative times to work with.
Chris Crocker
Crocker Racing Stable and Thoroughbred Horse Racing Partnerships
