Interesting article. http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/inside-aftercare/archive/2017/05/23/arapahoe-claimer-takes-to-dressage-while-still-racing.aspx
The aim of dressage is to make a horse straight-straight in the sense that he is equally strong, and supple on both sides. Like people most of them are one sided. Properly ridden gymnastic exercises can strengthen the weaker side, and help both sides get stronger.
No magic, just careful, thoughtful riding, on a progressive basis.
I didn’t get the impression that the trainer thought that there was magic involved, only a way of going about gate training that others may not have considered.
The article is about the owner, Kate Anderson, who has not won a race from 2000 to present and has only been in the money 3 times. The trainer is Neil Koch. Looks like this horse will make a successful transition to a second career.
Yes, the horse being discussed was a (low level?) claimer that she claimed back because she was fond of him.
This (value of Dressage) has been written about from time to time for years. It it had any REAL value it would be the standard instead of the exception years ago.
But it does make for a good story. 
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I can see how it might help with gate training but can’t imagine it would be of any use for the actual running of a race.
It is the standard in the UK.
