FOURTH RACE BACK

Fires when the current gap is under 45 days, the last two races also had gaps under 45 days, and the race before those had a gap over 45 days (meaning the layoff started three races ago and this is the fourth race back). The first start after a layoff is a fitness builder; the second often shows the sharpest improvement; the third consolidates fitness. By the fourth race back, many horses reach their best sustainable form of the return campaign, making this the optimal targeting spot for trainers who planned the campaign.