5/15/2004

Game Day.

On Friday Barclay Tagg scratched Funny Cide from the Pimlico Special because he felt that the temperature (86) and humidity would not suit last year's Kentucky Derby winner. And, on a hot and sultry day, the racetrack did appear to be 'cuppy' and tiring....as few horses rallied, off dull fractions.

In the Black Eyed Susan Stakes, for example, Grade 1 Fillies ran a pedestrian 1:52.3 for the 1 1/8th. miles, with a mile in a very slow 1:39/3. And, in the Pimlico Special, although they ran the Preakness distance in the decent time of 1:55/4, Evening Attire and Dynever, two closers, never fired at all, with Corey Nakatani (Dynever) reporting that the track was 'deep' and his charge could not get a hold of it at all.

Therefore, with today's forecast for more warm weather, it is quite likely that by 6.15 p.m. the track will have become 'cuppy' again, which means dried out, rather dusty and sometimes difficult to gain purchase on, for some horses.

So, having watched yesterday's races, it would appear that horses on or close to the lead may be favored. Such as Lion Heart and Smarty Jones. While closers, such as Imperialism (remember he apparently did not like the deep Calder racetrack, but has thrived since running on fast surfaces)and Borrego may find it hard to make up ground.