wont pass

Question
Joan, I have a 5yr Thoroughbred, who can run circle's around other horse's in the morning at the track however when it comes race time he refuse to pass the lead horse you can watch him just coast behind him. how can i fix this problem. Thank you

Answer
Hello Bryan,

I have seen this many times and the right answer is going to depend on your horse.  You did not mention if you are using blinkers on this horse. If not then you should consider using them in future workouts.  Blinkers help a horse to focus and take their attention off of other horses on the track.  Some horses respond to them in a VERY positive way upon the first time of using them, while others need a few workouts to get used to them.  Another tactic you should try if you have not already is breezing this horse with a companion/teaser horse and only giving your horse the lead after the quarter mile marker.  Get your horses mind into that mindset of "its OK to pass this horse towards the end"  Believe it or not horses know when its "race time" in comparison to its a "morning workout" they get geared up and nervous-anxious-hot and you can also expand too much energy by letting this horse before the race jog the track too much.  You might consider just letting your horse walk it out before the starting gate to reserve energy for the finish line.  One last thing to make sure of is that you have your horse running the correct distance and not a distance that is leaving him exerted/ran out.  As I'm sure you know some horses are distance runners, while others are short.  See how your horse clocks at both distances a few times.