I've been knocking around an idea the last few days.

It is intended to answer a simple question: Can I know which of my 2yo and early in the season 3yo are going to be the best of the bunch?

Ideally, I want to breed 30-40 2yo every season and pare them down to 10-12 by the time Triple Crown season rolls around, keeping only the best of the best around.

So, anyone think this test is worthwhile. Or alternatively, not worthwhile? Or think the answer is already out there.

What I plan to do: Run 4 tests. Pick 6 horses that have the same preferred distance and ideally the same preferred going and surface.

1) Run them in gallops (only). Run them through their 2yo, 3yo, and 4yo seasons and record how they progress. Do this maybe every 2-3 months. Have the same lead horse who runs 1f shorter.

2) Run them in the ck (race builder) only. Stop every 2-3 months, transfer them (without racing them). Use the same lead horse in the ck. And again, do this for their 2, 3 and 4 yo seasons.

3) Run them in races every 2-3 months. They would all be in the same race at the same track every 2-3 months. Use that same lead horse. Again, for their 2, 3 and 4 yo seaons.

4) Run them as I'd usually run them. So maybe 5-6 times as 2 yo, then 9-11 times as 3yo and 4yo. So different tracks, horses, surfaces etc.

I would ctrl-alt-delete after each test (so basically reset to the beginning). Then compare the results. Are the same horses the best at each age? Are the same horses winning in each test? Are there horses who are weak at 2yo but are awesome at 4yo? Basically, can I tell which of my 2yo are the best of the bunch?

In my humble opinion this is taking a game way too far, why not run them by entering them in races and by trial and error find the best, the cream always rises to the top. Your idea takes it away from being a game. I think there are many instances creeping in whereby this game is stopping being just that to some people. Just my opinion for what it's worth

Totally agree with you neves_rats I just race my donkeys in the races I select and see which ones win and which ones don't, that is my trial and error.

I would tend to agree with the last 2 posts on this subject personally. There are plenty of spreadsheet packages out there that do not have the cumbersome addition of a horse racing simulation to distract you!

I think it could be a good idea. I have 2 horses. Horse A beats Horse B every time they run against each other in game. 6 times from 6. But in the CK Horse B wins by 4 lengths, this is my biggest problem with the game, the CK should carry game form thru

'Bloody Hell' I always assumed the CK did reflect game form! Whats the point of having it then?
Any Idea's anyone, I would find it hard to believe its only for OnLIine racing. 'IS IT?'
ARAPHO

1 year and 7 months - That must be the longest time difference between 2 posts on a thread EVER!!!

has to be a record wonder how the experiment went

Thats the most frustrating thing about training for the lge

you could have 4 3yo milers 1 dominates the other 3 in the game and the poorest in game horse could well be the best in ck
ck is a tool for lge trainers use your training gallops to test who the best in your game mate

I will accept your opinion pjrhodes1970, but what is different about horse data exported to CK? There must be a difference somewhere! Does Mark know or anybody know.? Seems bloody ridiculous to me.
(old) ARAPHO

the difference is a 5f horse can run 55secs in game but in ck (a true test of ability) he could run 57 secs
the ck is so valuable to lge trainers without it we would be lost the ck emulates lge conditions so its important

your training gallops will do the same for you
look for a 5 or 6f sprinter with stats like this jumping poor(not important for flat trainers) agility adverage or good Starting good
this will be an ideal lead horse for your gallop trials
bearing in mind that horses mature at different stages of the season but you will find who your best early horses are

anyway hope it helps mate

Thanks for info PJ and I accept there is a difference BUT my question is : If its the same track, same going,
same distance,same owned horses, how or more important to me, WHY can the best horse(s) be beaten by a crap horse in the CK or vice versa?
ARAPHO

CK is different to the game in the way that the races are simulated, nobody knows why but it is. It always throws up the best in the end in my little experience. I have found if I breed with a multiple distance, track, going G1 winner in the game I get great horses who sometimes don't always pass that on in further generations so I end up at square 1 again. Whereas a multiple distance, track, going G1 winner in the CK often passes on great genes and you have a really strong line to breed with that holds true through the generations. I haven't done a lot of breeding or racing in the CK and none compared to PJ, I'm only on my 3rd/4th generation but that statement is still holding true.

Maybe it's like winning a race at a major festival. You could have a horse win hundreds of G1's but unless if can win a Classic, at Royal Ascot, Cheltenham, Aintree, Punchestown or Fairyhouse festivals then you can't consider you have a great. Maybe it is just the ultimate test of a horse...?? OR maybe it simulates those horses on their best day so the stats are maxed out, whereas in the game there are so many days that you're unlikely to always run on the best day for that horse... Who knows but it is true, it isn't the end of the world and the gallops in the game are also an excellent test of who is your best in game at each part of the season.

Thanks for response Supercat but we all can theorise, but sadly I'm still left with WHY ?

I don't think it really matters. It isn't an integral part of the game, you don't HAVE to use the CK to play the game you use it by choice. Also as I said it is a good indicator to greatness in in game horses so though the horses aren't exactly the same it still shows you who is the best overall.

Unless you play the league you don't need to use the CK, it takes extra time and effort where you could just gallop your horses in game. It is only really useful as an add on if you're a league player, or like me doing a bit of a breeding experiment to improve your lines.