Handicapping The Turf!

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by bellsbendboy

The single most important factor in handicapping a race on turf is ignored by most handicappers. The turf rail.

In a nutshell, track superintendents use the turf rail to protect the grass. After a dozen or so races, over a couple of days, they erect the temporary rail moving the race outward from the hedge. At Churchill for instance, the settings are; zero (hedge), 15 feet and 22 feet. How does the movement effect the race?

4 rank outsider, virtually wire to wire, $71 ( I saw a poster pick this horse (on Saturday) but this was the proverbial blind squirrel finding an acorn, if the race was on the hedge this horse had no chance)

BBB,

Turf rail awareness was covered brilliantly by Dick Powell this past winter on Brisnet in a piece about the movement of it at Gulfstream the first three weeks. I imagine it's still available and I suggest everyone look at it in advance of this year's GP meet... Your points are well taken! Keeping track of portable rail placement helps find bet-backs and bet-againsts...

As for Embossed, Gus Alonso sang his praises on ATRAB Friday on our Preview Show, and backed it up lucratively on the Tuesday running at KD. I liked him as well, but as an underneath use.. At 12-1 on the ML he was intrigiung.. Aty 35-1 at post time, he was a RIDICULOUS overlay and super playable.