9/4-5 (DMR): Del Mar Derby (G2); Palomar (G2)

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Banned ran a VERY strong race and truly did all the running. Not only was he four wide much of the way but he traveled 65 feet more than the winner. The pace was very ordinary, as evidenced by Extensive and Akkadian staying on as well as they did. If Midnight Interlude didn't beat Banned with their respective trips yesterday than he never will.

Originally Posted by LARHAGE

Agreed, if Midnight Interlude couldn't beat him with that pace and rail advantage than he is not ever beating him, the Santa Anita turf will be much more to Banned's liking, I couldn't believe how torn and chewed up the turf course is, it's no wonder more horses haven't been injured like Burns, I don't think I would have ran Banned on that course if he were my horse, it's pretty scary looking, I feel for the connections of Burns, Madeline Auerbach was distraught, I really felt bad.

Some of this is splitting hairs, but Banned was in the 2 path around the first turn and then eased out to the 4 path on the backstretch, so 'much of the way' was really just on the second turn. And it isn't unfair to make a case that the portion of the course he was on would likely have had the best footing on the ripped up turf. That was certainly the case at Saratoga for a defined portion of the meet when the inside paths were torn up and off pace/stalker types had greatest acceleration rallying wide. Is 20 yards of Trakus 'ground loss' actually a negative if it offered better footing than the uneven, momentum-jarring going inside?

I'd also say that the pace was even and honest at :23.2, :47.4, 1:12.2, 1:36.0, 1:47.4 (elder fillies and mares went in virtually identical splits in the Palomar Monday). I love Banned, but Midnight Interlude ran a tremendously game race and wins with the wire 2 yards closer or further.