Coast to Coast racing continues in high fashion! At Saratoga, the Power Page (Speed Figs) produce 7 of 9 win or place finishes form 9 races used ( 2 races not included because the field were full of First Time Starters)… With 1 Winner and 1 Place from our 4 Pop Out Keys in the PLUS portion… So it appears, at least through the first 2 days we have a good view and handle on racing at Saratoga.
On to Del Mar, through the first 6 races the Main Track seems to be playing against the rail horses. That being said, Coco Kisses in the first did run a decent 2nd, after firing to the lead. Also our Pop Lout Key in the 5th, Seven Scents did drop down to the rail for a period of time, then move away and then in the final 100 yards drop back down – to finish a lively 2nd. And then in the 7th race, the BOOM 4-year old colt, Catalina Cruiser went wire to wire on the rail the entire trip. It may be appropriate to consider these signals as a sign the rail is neutral today and the track is without a bias. I am not quite ready to declare that… But at some point I will make a decision on this.
The Turf racing at Del Mar is amazingly HONEST. It seems everyone who has run, can make that run – this is setting up some finishes that will have the entire field on the wire before the meet is over. And for those of you who make the jockey as a significant part of the equation, this is definitely a good thing for you. When everything is equal and the racing is tight, the jockey with the sharpest reflexes and best vision can make a big difference at the wire… Generally, at least with me, I am so tuned into the form of the horse, that I don’t consider the jockey that significantly… but if the races continue to appear close, then don’t hesitate to include the jocks in your decision process.