Failed to menace is a racing performance comment that describes a horse’s entire race when it remained near the back of the field throughout the race and never made any significant move or gained ground on the leaders.
Key Characteristics
When a horse “failed to menace,” it means the horse:
- Stayed at the back of the field from start to finish
- Never offered a bid or made any threatening move toward the front runners
- Did not gain significantly on the leaders at any point during the race
- Was never a factor in determining the outcome of the race
Subtle Distinction
There is one minor difference between “Failed to Menace” and “Failed to Respond.” “Failed to Respond” is used specifically when a jockey is noticeably trying to get the horse to improve position and the horse doesn’t react to those urging tactics. “Failed to Menace” is more of a general description of the horse’s overall poor performance without necessarily indicating jockey effort.
Handicapping Value
For handicappers, seeing “Failed to Menace” in a horse’s past performance lines indicates the horse showed no competitive spirit or ability in that particular race, which could suggest the horse was either outclassed, not feeling well, or simply having an off day. This information helps evaluate the horse’s chances in future races.