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by concrete on May 17th, 2005

concrete

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Is there a weight limit for jockeys at the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico and if there is, do they level the playing field as they do at the Kentucky Derby?

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  • by Alonzo Garbonzo on May 25th, 2005

    Alonzo Garbonzo

    http://krc.ppr.ky.gov/kar/810/001/014.htm

    Thoroughbred racing abides by a traditional scale of weights. In Triple Crown Races, which are exclusively for 3-year-olds, each horse carries 126 pounds. Fillies get a 5-pound allowance. These are minimum weights. For example, if the jockey weighs 120 pounds, lead inserts totaling 6 pounds are attached to the saddle.

    This does not "level the playing field," if the writer of the question means that weight is used to equalize all competitors. Handicap races for older horses use weight to theoretically equalize the entrants. The "topweight," or the horse with the best record, will carry as much as 130 pounds, whereas an unproven horse can get in for as little as 111 pounds. This supposedly "levels the playing field."

    Since The Preakness Stakes and the Kentucky Derby are races for 3-year-olds carrying the same weight regardless of their record, the playing field is not "leveled."

    dp4kentucky is wrong. As repeated above, only 3-year-olds compete in the Derby & Preakness.

    Comments

    • 3 and 4 year olds can race, just wanted to point that out

      dp4kentucky

      by dp4kentucky on November 12th, 2005

    • Not in the Triple Crown. Those races are strickly races for three years olds. And have been since the Derby started in the 1800's.

      P. W. Pasobrio loves Marines

      by P. W. Pasobrio loves Marines on March 15th, 2007

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